Texting banned while driving

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has started to sign bills now that the budget standoff is over. The big one today is a bill that -- gasp! -- makes it illegal to text-message while driving in the Golden State.

The two laws that banned holding a cellphone to your ear and driving overlooked text messaging because the cellphone part was hard enough to get through a Legislature that has fattened itself on campaign donations from cellphone providers over the years. The public reaction to that lapse helped spur this bill, which some folk may suggest is pure common sense.

The bill was written by State Sen. Joe Simitian, who also authored the cellphone ban. First offense is $76. Schwarzenegger's comment, via press release: "Banning electronic text messaging while driving will keep drivers' hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, making our roadways a safer place for all Californians."

-- Steve Hymon

Comments

[Amdizzle]

Actually, Ahhhnold, it will keep driver's eyes further from the road as they put their cellphones low and in their lap, thus eliminating any "vertical peripheral vision" they might have had if they weren't trying to hide their texting from the cops.

[By Golly]

Well THAT'S a relief. Only $76 fine. Last year when I was text messaging the highway patrol gave me a ticket for straying over the white line, and that was more than $300!!!!!

[joe]

Good.

[Margaret Roberts]

How stupid can people be? Any one with half a brain cell knows that you should not be texting while driving. I try not to even talk on the phone when I am driving because it is a dumb thing to do.