California Law Bans Texting While Driving
As of January 1, 2009, California drivers will find themselves a bit removed from their social loop while behind the wheel. New legislation came into effect at the turn of the New Year which outlaws any texting while driving, even when the car is at stand-still at a stop sign or traffic light. California already had laws against talking on a cell phone while driving unless the commuter was using a hands-free headset. The bill was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in September, making California one of the first states to ban text messaging while driving. Connecticut, Washington, Louisiana, Minnesota, and New Jersey also have laws against texting and driving.
Utah currently has no laws directly forbidding cell phone use or text messaging while driving. However, according to www.handsfreeinfo.com, Rep. Carol Spackman Moss is working on a bill that would ban use of hand-held cell phone use while behind the wheel. Such legislation could greatly improve the safety of our roads. A University of Utah study in 2005 found talking on a cell phone while driving can be equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08. Text messaging statistics are even more frightening: text messaging on the road lowers a driver’s reaction time by 35%.
