Roughly a dozen Sonoma motorists have been cited since California’s new cell phone laws went into effect Tuesday – and police say the drivers have been largely unsurprised.
“Most everybody is like, ‘I know, I know,’” Sonoma police Sgt. Dave Thompson said Thursday afternoon, placing the July 1—3 ticket tally between “at least 9 and as many as 15” according to preliminary figures. Thompson added that he had issued a couple of tickets by cruising alongside drivers during the sergeant’s Sonoma Plaza bicycle patrol.
According to CHP statistics, 1,091 crashes in 2007 were blamed on drivers using hand-held cell phones resulting in a total of 447 injuries.
The first law, passed two years ago, prohibits anyone from using a hand-held cell phone while operating a vehicle on California roadways. The second prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using any type of cell phone while driving. Both laws became effective July 1.
Cell phones can continue to be used by those 18 and older if they have either a wireless or hard-wired headset in one ear. In addition, no penalty is attached for emergency calls to police, fire agencies or medical providers, or for making calls while the vehicle is stopped.
Violations carry a minimum base fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses, but court costs and other fees can double or even triple the amount of the base fine.
Be First to Comment