Fourth US state bans driving while holding a cell phone

18.09.2006
California Friday became the fourth state to ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving, moving the issue of driver distraction to the forefront of the national agenda.

In a webcast, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law legislation that passed in the California legislature last month. The measure goes into effect in July 2008, imposing a minimum US$20 fine for anyone caught driving and using a cell phone unless the driver uses a headset, ear bud or other technology that frees both hands.

Emergency situations are exempt.

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington, D.C. have similar laws, but California is such a large state and is seen as a trend-setter in consumer and technology legislation, observers and analysts said. More than 35 states considered bills affecting driver distractions, including cell phones, this year, according to Schwarzenegger's office.

Many cell phone makers and cellular network providers have opposed such laws, but Palm Inc. Friday declared "enthusiastic support" of the California move. Palm makes Treo smartphones, and had urged the governor to sign the bill for public safety reasons, said Joe Fabris, director of wireless solutions at Palm in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Fabris said Palm is the only cell phone maker to publicly back the bill, although Verizon Wireless, a carrier, supported it from the start as well. "Certain makers and carriers are for it or against it but we happen to feel the data is there that this law can reduce distractions," Fabris said. He went on to say that many things can distract drivers, including actually talking on the phone or turning the radio dial. But requiring a hands-free device will remove at least one distraction.