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| Cell phone law in effect Tuesday |
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| Written by Jonathan Partridge | Patterson Irrigator | |
| Friday, 27 June 2008 | |
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“Not only with cell phones, but every time you’re driving a car, you need to eliminate distractions.” — Tom Killian California Highway Patrol Whether merging onto Patterson’s downtown circle or cruising along one of the state’s major highways, drivers everywhere can be seen with cell phones that appear permanently attached to their ears. All that may change starting Tuesday, when a new state law will make it illegal to use a cell phone while driving without using a hands-free device. The new law also will prevent drivers younger than 18 from using any kind of cell phone while driving. Law enforcement agencies and state transportation officials say they hope the laws will prevent accidents. “Not only with cell phones, but every time you’re driving a car, you need to eliminate distractions,” said officer Tom Killian of the California Highway Patrol. Preliminary statistics from the CHP indicate that the highway patrol responded to 21 accidents in Stanislaus County last year that involved cell phones, and there were nine injuries as a result. Between 2003 and 2006, the CHP responded to 88 cell-phone related accidents in Stanislaus County, with 62 injuries and a death. Sgt. Robert Banks of Patterson Police Services said it appears that cell phones have not played a role in most of the accidents in Patterson. On the other hand, he said, until about a month ago, local police report forms did not have a box to check to indicate whether cell phones caused an accident. Like officials from the CHP, Banks said local deputies will begin enforcement immediately starting Tuesday, and there will be no grace period. Violations of the new laws carry a minimum fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for future offenses. Court costs and other fees can double or triple those fines. With the addition of penalty assessments, a first offense is $76 and a second offense is $190. Anyone disobeying the hands-free law can be pulled over simply for committing that violation, Killian explained. Under the law, operators of vehicles requiring a Class A or Class B license, such as large trucks or farm vehicles, can still use a push-to-talk device, such as a Nextel. However, that will change in 2010, when all drivers will need to use hands-free devices. The law also allows drivers to use wireless telephones to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department or other emergency services. Cell phones can continue to be used by people 18 and older if they have either a wireless or a hardwired headset in one ear. No one is allowed to have both ears covered. Employees at local cell phone sales centers have seen increased interest in the hands-free devices as Tuesday’s deadline approaches. Matt Franklin, manager of Radio Shack in Patterson, said he began seeing more people inquiring about the devices toward the end of last year, and that interest has only increased during the past few weeks. He said people at the store have talked about the changes with customers, as well, and helped them get their phones set up. “It’s newer technology that not everyone is used to,” he said. Meanwhile, Tara Martel of Wireless Works said the store sold out of hands-free devices last month, and Mike Le, manager of Global Wireless, said sales of the devices remain strong while sales for other cell phones are slow. “That’s the only thing that’s hot right now,” Le said. To reach Jonathan Partridge at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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