^^^^LOL thats a sick ass piece in your sig!
Sucks for those are who under 18. They aren't allowed to use their phone at all!
All You Need To Know About the New Hands-Free Cell Phone Laws in California and Washington
By Doug Newcomb, Contributor
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Date Posted 06-17-2008
Starting July 1, 2008, don't be surprised to see a lot of drivers talking to themselves in California and Washington. Or perhaps pulled over and talking to a policeman instead after being caught using a handheld phone. That's when laws prohibiting the use of a cell phone while driving go into effect in those two states, and the only way you'll be able to phone and drive is hands-free.
California and Washington join New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as states in which you can't hold a phone to your ear while driving, while Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana and North Carolina are all considering similar legislation. A total of 17 states also have laws preventing teen drivers from using a phone behind the wheel, and Washington, D.C., and cities such as Chicago and Detroit have their own local ordinances.
If you drive in California or Washington — or any other place with a hands-free cell phone law — and are still steering with one hand and juggling a phone in the other, we're here to help you make sense of the new laws and find a hands-free solution that works best for you, your vehicle and your budget.
A Look at the New Hands-Free Cell Phone Laws
California's Vehicle Code §23123 prohibits all drivers above the age of 18 from using a handheld cell phone, while VC §23124 makes it illegal for drivers under 18 to use a phone at all. The only exceptions apply to commercial-truck drivers (excluding pickups) and to motorists on private property or using a handheld phone to make emergency calls.
The base fine for the first offense is $20, and $50 for subsequent violations, but additional penalty assessments and fines could more than triple that amount. A violation goes on your driving record, although the DMV will not assign points to your license.
For all drivers, using a handheld cell phone is a primary violation, for which an officer can pull you over.
The California law doesn't prevent drivers from dialing a number by hand or specifically prohibits text messaging (although the DMV strongly discourages both), and use of a speakerphone is allowed. For those under 18, using a hands-free device is a secondary violation, meaning the driver can be cited only if stopped for another reason.
Washington's handheld cell phone law (ESSB 5037) applies to all drivers regardless of age, and a law banning text messaging (EHB 1214) went into effect on January 1, although it's not a violation if you're entering a number while driving. Emergency vehicle and tow truck drivers are exempted, as is using a handheld cell phone to report illegal activity or emergencies. The fine can be as high as $101, and under both laws an infraction doesn't become part of your driving record and isn't reported to insurance companies or employers. Both are secondary violations.
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/au...d=ga48424135&gclid=CPu-1_eip5QCFSQbagodWAYMtw
