Implementation Of California Hands-Free While Driving Law Starts

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - There was no uniform application of the law prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving in California. Police officers in some counties provided a one-month grace period for violators, while some officers followed the law to the letter by issuing tickets even during the first day of the ban's implementation.

Sacramento Valley's patrol assigned to Auburn saw 47 violators of the law between 6 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, but issued only 20 tickets and let the 27 others free to avoid further clogging California's busy streets.

Officer Heather Hoglund insisted a grace period was no longer warranted because the legislation was approved 18 months ago. "There should be no reason why somebody didn't know that today was the day that they needed to be hands-free," Hoglund told AP.

A number of motorists rushed to buy hands-free units, but some drivers have yet to become familiar with the relatively simple electronic device.

Violators of the ban would be slapped with a $20 penalty for first offense and $50 for future infractions. But since court fees will be included in the final bill, the real cost of the ticket would be $93 for first time offenders and $201 for second time violators.

Some groups have questioned the wisdom of the law since having a hands-free device does not free the motorist from distractions posed by voice and text messages. Arthur Goodwin, a researcher from the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center pointed out, quoted by the Los Angeles Times, "There's a common misperception that hands-free phones are safer when the research clearly suggests that they're both equally risky."