Personal Injury Lawyers > Personal Injury Blog > Auto Accidents > New California Bill Seeks to Increase Fines for Cell Phone Violations While Driving

Personal Injury Blog

New California Bill Seeks to Increase Fines for Cell Phone Violations While Driving

Ever since laws banning text messaging and using hand held cell phones while driving was passed in California, injury lawyers and auto safety groups have complained that the fines are too lenient. However that could change if a new bill passes which is proposing steep fines for violators who use their cell phones to have conversations or text while driving.

Senator Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto has proposed a bill that would increase the fines for text messaging while driving and talking on hand held cell phones while behind the wheel. The bill proposes some of the toughest penalties for cell phone violations in the country. If the bill were to become law, violators would be fined up to $455 for texting at the wheel and up to $255 for having a conversation on a hand held cell phone while driving. A violation would also result in a ticket that would require that the motorist attend a traffic course. The bill is also advocating for higher insurance costs as a result of the offense.

According to the bill, the base fine which is currently $20 for a violation would go up to $100. The base fine for use of hand held cell phone while driving which is currently $20, would go up to $50. However, the fees that come with base fines can result in a first time offender paying as much as $445 for texting and $225 for a hand held cell phone violation.

California injury lawyers fully support any such massive increase in fines for cell phone violations. A law has no bite until it comes with the prospect of strong punishment for violations.  In California, the $20 base fine is hardly the deterrent that legislators hoped it would be. There have been studies showing that cell phone usage rates have dropped since the laws were passed. However, there has been no conclusive evidence showing that accidents from cell phone use, have dropped.  Stronger laws can help enforce these laws, and make them harder to break.

Cell phone use behind the wheel is increasingly becoming a major factor in accidents in California and it is getting plenty of attention. There have been numerous studies that have shown a strong link between the use of hand held cell phones as well as text messaging while driving, and the increased risk of accidents. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute last year showed that the risk of an accident is increased by 23 times when a motorist is texting at the wheel, compared to drivers who were not texting.  The risk of a crash among those using a hand held cell phone, was found to be slightly lower.

California accident lawyers will be waiting for the day there will be a complete ban on cell phone use while driving, including hands free sets. California was one of the first states to have a ban on hand held cell phones and text messaging while driving. An all-inclusive ban with strong penalties could be the firm step that’s needed to eliminate these dangerous driving distractions.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

---