Maria Shriver says, 'I’m sorry,’ for cellphone use while driving

Maria Shriver apologized this afternoon after she was publicly flogged – by her husband, among others -- for talking on her cellphone while driving without a hands-free device, in apparent violation of state law.

TMZ.com on Tuesday posted two photos of Shriver using one hand to drive a car and the other to press a large cellphone to her ear. Her husband, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed the cellphone law that went into effect last year. When the pictures were posted, Schwarzenegger wrote on Twitter that he would take unspecified "swift action" against his celebrity wife. But soon after that, TMZ posted a video it said showed Shriver breaking the law again even as the controversy was unfolding Tuesday.

"I'm sorry," Shriver said in her statement today. And, responding to gibes on the Internet about her bulky and seemingly outdated phone, she said she would donate "my favorite old cellphone" to a program run by Verizon that helps domestic violence shelters.

"That's my version of swift action with a higher purpose," Shriver said.

-- --Michael Rothfeld in Sacramento

Photo: Maria Shriver. Los Angeles Times file.

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Comments

[Jeff C.]

There are fines associated with cell phone useage in a vehicle Maria is not above the law and must be made the to pay the first and second fine , we would have to or is her husband going to sweep that under the carpet also.

[vickie]

Is this like the "special" young woman on the news caught texting and driving declaring, "But, I'm really good at it!"?

[Dave S.]

I've long thought that instead of banning cell phones for drivers, we should pass laws that ban careless driving for whatever reason, as the careless driving is what is dangerous. Oh wait -- we already have those laws. Never mind.

[Derek]

I wonder if Maria, know's Steve, Chris, or Thom, of Hotel Furniture Pro's? I am not sure if labor- Ready will let me work for them if they are not the agent. Maria Call me! Ask for Keisha at labor- ready Speedway! I think I saw her in front of the Coca-Cola corp, today! I heard Ellen Degenres got Paula Abdul's old job!

[Maria's Mistake]

Maria's biggest mistake was marrying that hulking dimwit of a husband and giving him a measure of political credibility. He is a buffoon and the people of California, just as they were when they elected Ronald Reagan, are downright idiotic to put in public office such a half-witted, right-wing whacko, "celebrity."

[bumunderthebridge]

So now Maria is going to get a new phone. Big deal. It will simply be a smaller phone that she can stick up to her ear and it will be harder to see. More HYPOCRISY at the highest level. Hey Arnold, how much jet fuel are you spewing out each day? You think we don't know about that?? HYPOCRITE!!

[Christine]

Nice. Her husband GUTS funding for DV shelters and she gives them an old phone. How generous.

[daisydaze]

I see cops on their cellphones all the time here in the san fernando valley. geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez

[Fabricio]

I am not mad a t her. I want to know IF ANY cop would have the guts to give her a ticket... I DOUBT IT

[mitchell Wilson]

This is B S I got a ticket for talking to my 13 year old daughter who was sick. I was on my way to the airport to pick up my wife when I was stopped by the C H P for a cell phone violation the fine was $132.00 out of my pocket when I am barely able to feed my family of four.

[nana]

Why doesn't she pay the same fine I had to pay when I was caught on the cell phone.....$20.00 plus penalty...total $108 x3....That is the only way she can show that she's not above the law.....

[P-Cat]

This p***es me off. Not because she's a celeb but because everyone in LA does this and no one says a thing.

Having seen a near fatal crash caused by just this behavior, I have zero patience for you fools who yack on the phone while driving.

[Jeff]

I drive and talk on the phone all the time without having hands-free device. Yes i am violating the law and i am proud to do it.

[R]

Hum, what's the fine for using a phone while driving????

[Robert NO longer in LA]

Can one say, 'Two-faced, duplicitous, OBFUSCATER?"

[A Concerned American]

"my favorite old cellphone" yea but she will now be driving around with her NEW phone.
Talk about having two legal systems in our country. One for the have and one for the have nots.

[Deanne]

Maria talking on a cell phone is not as disturbing to me as when I see a police officer, who is not on an emergency call, driving and chatting at the same time. Maria may be the Govenors wife but she is just a citizen like everyone else..the police are the ones who break this particular law with a smile on thier face.

[Ramona]

What would you expect from the wife of a buffoon who spouts "green" talk yet drives gas guzzlers and flies constantly in his spewing jet? And, of course there will not be anything done as these hypocrites are truly above the law. I am so sick of this crap!