As many of you know California is rolling out 2 new laws on July 1, 2008, which, forbids motorist from talking on cell phones with out a hands free device.  

One law applies to motorist over 18 years of age and the other law is applicable to motorist under 18 years of age. 

To ensure motorist are enlightened the Amber Alert message boards on the freeway are providing warnings to drivers as they travel the highways and by ways of California. 

That is to be expected as they introduce to a new fad.  What I'm about to share now, I don't know if many folks know about or expect to happen. 

Some cities have recently purchased high-powered binoculars, video recorders and authorized baby-sitting for officers to make sure the public gets the message.  

Officers will be working in teams to stop offenders who just don't get it.  One officer will be designated and positioned to lookout and observer for drivers who are using cell phones while driving.  If a driver is spotted they will radio ahead to a team of motorcycle officers who will be positioned ahead in the directions the driver is traveling. 

The officers ahead will already know how long it will take you to reach their position along with the make of car and your license number.  Once you pass the designated point and are still on your phone, the officer will initiate a traffic stop. 

The officer after asking for you license will ask you where you contacting on the phone making and emergency call to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.  If you answer yes they will ask for you to show the last number called from your phone.  If in fact you are truthful will be warned about the new law and sent on your way with being cited. 

If on the other hand you lie or say no, you will be issued a citiation.  If this is your first offense the base fine will $20.  If this is not your first offense the fine will be $50 for subsequent offenses.  If you notice I said base fine.  In California there is something called a penalty assessment which can cause the financial obligation to be more than triple the base fine. 

A $20 fine becomes about $93 if you are convicted or plead guilty.  That $50 second offense fine will total more than $161 if you are found guilty, plead guilty or no contest.  No contest is the same as pleading guilty, except that it cannot be held against you I a civil proceeding.  I'm not an attorney, but I think this will only apply if there is a collisions and someone's property is damaged and you are sued in civil court. 

The idea behind the use of enforcement muscle is to ensure that motorist get the message and refrain from driving and talking with a phone next to their ear and youth don't talk at all while driving.  Also they expect word of mouth to travel to help in assist in educating motorist while encourage drivers to be alert and not travel with phones glued to their ear. 

I learned of this technique as I stoped by the park today to play a couple hands of dominos by someone who was recently stopped and given notice of the new law, as officers were testing their systems and communications.  Here is the premise, if you are on a cell phone without a headset, it is highly likely that you will still be on the phone once you pass the second checkpoint. People are creatures of habit and more than likely you will pass that checkpoint yapping away, until you see the christmas trees and hear the siren to alert you to pull over.

I hope none on Activerain site become an example, as enforcement will help some cities offset the cost of enforcement activities.  If you havppen to get cited, please share your experience with the community.

http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/cellphones/