Today is the first day that Californians MUST use a hands free device if we want to talk while driving. This is good news for us bike commuters that frequently encounter drivers driving like drunks because they are chatting on their cellphone. But the question is, would this law also affect bike riders that are using a cellphone while riding in traffic? My assumption would be yes since bicycles are also bound by vehicular laws in California, but I will find out for sure.
In case you are wondering how much you need to fork out in case you get caught:
The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With the addition of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
By the way, this law also affects people visiting California, so if you are coming down to visit Mickey Mouse, better bring your hand free device!
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Distractions are a part of life, but focusing on that distraction to the point of negligence while driving or cycling is the issue. Cell phone use is just easy for an officer to spot, so it’s easier to enforce. What’s not easy to enforce is the negligence that goes on in vehicles every day on every street (changing stations, changing CDs, eating, chugging coffee, reading the paper, etc.). We need better ongoing drivers education in order to renew our licenses. The 20 obvious questions and cursory eye test every six years we do here in Missouri is a joke.