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Don't Dial Your Phone And Drive!

After July Don’t Dial Phone as You Drive!

Q: I have a question about the new California Law that will prohibit driving while holding your cell phone. Does the law require hands-free dialing as well? To me dialing is more dangerous than just talking on my cell while driving!

A: Good question! The law says “A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specially designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking and is used in that manner while driving.” That is a lot of words to say cell phone use while driving must be hands free. If not you are going to get a ticket!

Although dialing isn’t specifically prohibited, I think the law is pretty clear. Dialing is part of using the phone, so you could going to get you a ticket if you dial your phone while driving. Come July, you’ll need to be hands free with a corded or Bluetooth headset.

Q: I was in an accident recently and the police officer asked if I was using my cell phone at the time of the accident. Why did he ask me about my cell phone?

A: Another good question! This question has become the standard part of all car accident investigations because of recent studies. These studies have shown that being legally drunk (.o8 blood alcohol) is safer than driving while talking on your cell phone. These same studies have found that a hand free does not make it safer!