Hello ,

I thought if you use a hands free device that, you can use your cell phone.Blue tooth device . Please let me know what the rules are

Thanks .

Searover......the laws took effect july 1 2008 and are as follows

(Vehicle Code (VC) §23123).   prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. Motorists 18 and over may use a hands-free device. Drivers under the age of 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle(VC §23124).
 http://www.drivinglaws.org/...

This is great news for all of us that obey the law and either use a hands free device or simply pull off the roadway to make or receive a call.  I am so tired of trying to dodge people who think they can drive and carry on conversations at the same time while weaving in and out of traffic and moving at wildly erratic speeds.  My only criticism is that this should be an everyday thing and not just a scheduled "event".

Glad they are doing this.  Now we need to figure out how to get the cell phone gabbers from blocking the isles in the store and from holding up the registers while talking.  I stood behind this lady the other day that was talking away while digging through her purse with one hand looking for a dime.  Please

I know that I am the minority because I very seldom talk in public on my cell.  But I have to tell you folks that are addicted to their cell phone, it is annoying to have to listen to a stranger's personal business.  I don't want to hear about their blind date, what should I get for Johnny's birthday, etc.  What happened to the days where you went out to dinner with friends and actually talked to them instead of answering calls and text messages?

vwilroy, With all the texting that goes on these days it makes me wonder if there will come a time when folks can't talk to each other. Some kind of anxiety disorder that makes it so you can't talk directly to someone.  Some people only text. Never just pick up the phone to chat. I don't get it. Maybe a generational thing? Seems so impersonal. Will some people eventually lose their communication skills?

They should look on Truxtun. I see at least 10 a day driving to and from work. At least 10. They're easy to spot, they're the ones going 45 in the 55 zone.

Thank you for letting me know what the laws says... .. I am not one of those to break the laws, but I do see others talking away with the phone in hand ... But it also amazing how someone can read the newspaper while driving. ..I see that almost every day ...

Thanks for responding to my question

It's about time law enforcement did something.  I see people on thier cell phones daily.  I have even seen county employees ( parole and probation) using cell phones while they drive.  Are thier special conditions that apply to them?  And yes, I too am tired of hearing conversations in public places like the grocery store and at work!  I saw where an addiction clinic was opened for video game addicts, I wonder how long before there is one for cell phone/texter addicts is opened.  Sure looks like there is a need for one!

Are they going to police themselves??? I see officers in their squad cars all the time talking on the phone

I have known a couple of people who still talk on their cell phones while driving.  It makes me nervous to be riding with someone who is driving and talking on the phone at the same time because I know the person is not really paying attention to what they are doing while driving.  One person I know went through a red light because he was talking on the phone while driving.

well, hmmm, it's only a LAW! it's about time cops get a going on this problem that IS STILL very much a problem. i'm 21 and love my cell, but when it comes to buckling up and driving somewhere, i toss the cell in the backseat! i'm sick and tired of passing a cell yacker or swerving to keep my car scratch-free from some texter. are you that dependent that you can't get from A to B without talking on your cell!? if you answer yes, than you, my friend, are pathetic!

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"are you that dependent that you can't get from A to B without talking on your cell!?"

I LOVE that comment, ESP from a younger generation person !!  

I wonder that ALL the time!  I grew up in the 70's/80's - we had ChevroLegs and Phones with CORDS attached, and PAYphones !  1/2 the population these days would flip if they didnt have a cell-phone !

WHAT on earth is SO important that you cant wait 8 minutes til you get home/safe to yak on the phone?  AND if you MUST be on the cell phone, why cant YOU buy a $40 blue-tooth device????? And WHO the heck has THAT much to gab about anyways?

The longer the law is in place the more law breakers you see.  In the beginning it was a rarity to see someone with their phone to their ear and now, once again, it seems common place.  Many are needing reminders. 

My dad still talks on his cell while driving, but it isn't illegal where he lives. It still drives me nuts, though. That's one of my biggest "hates"...getting stuck behind a moron on a cell! And PP, you are absolutely right. Truxtun is terrible!

My youngest once asked me if it was really true that people used to have to PAY to use a phone. As if we don't pay for it now....

You can always spot an older movie or book when they have to go hunting for a pay phone..lol.

One of my instructors at CSUB had a rule that if your cell phone went off during class you had to leave and not come back til the next class.  She said if it goes off you'll have plenty of time to take care of that business in the week between.

One sent off once and she told the woman she had to leave.   The woman argued that her son must have messed with it.....didn't work.  The bad thing was if it went off during a mid term or final you got an F because you didn't finish the test.  I was so paranoid that I left mine in the car every class.

For the record?  I don't want to hear anyones personal business either.

My favorite one is when I go to call a patient back for their exam and they either ask if I will "wait a minute", or they continue gabbing all the way down the hall. I have actually been forced to ask people to hang up so I can do their pretest, and then, of course, they get annoyed with me. That is SO rude!!!

Nothing is worse than in the theatre for me.  Those people are clueless as well as lacking all class.  so they are clueless and classless lol

Im talking on my cell phone while typing this and using my other phone to text another friend while sending a fax with my feet and..........hahaha!

just kidding. I hate it when people talk on their phones and drive. annoying.

If you're operating a motor vehicle, don't be doing other stuff. That's what voice mail and caller ID are for. People who think they can multitask are wrong. Folks, you can't despite what you may think. Our brains don't work that way and people paying attention to things other than driving are putting themselves and others at risk.

I'm pleased to hear people are being cited for this violation. I had to take sharp evasive action Saturday before last because some woman in a white SUV on Chester Avenue on her phone decided to change lanes because a bus stopped in front of her. She didn't notice I was already in the other lane.

Driving a motor vehicle is a serious responsibility. Treat it that way.

Two days ago, I was almost a witness to a wreck on the 58 because some guy was on his phone, and traffic came to a sudden stop. (There was a wreck on the other side of the freeway, and of course, everyone had to slow down to gape...another big hate of mine) This guy nearly parked his minivan in the bed of a big pickup in front of him. He had to swerve onto the gravel shoulder, nearly spun out, and threw dirt and rocks everywhere. I wonder where that cell phone ended up while he tried to regain control of his vehicle. He nearly caused a big pileup. Moron.

Probably still in his clutched idiot hands, like a drunk that falls down but is proud they didnt spill their beer!

If you're talking on the phone while driving you are putting yourself and others in danger...even if you are using a hands free device.  If you are talking on your phone then your attention isn't on the road anymore, it is on your conversation.  I have been behind people who may be acting overly safe by going like 30 mph down White Lane because they are gabbing on the phone.  You can tell they are not paying attention because they just mosey along slowly regardless if people behind them are actually trying to make the light.  Blue-tooth or not, cell phones still can make a bad driver.

I have actually motioned to drivers at stop lights that they should not be talking - you would be amazed at the language of some of these soccer moms.

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We are all preaching to the choir, I am VERY interested in hearing from actual offenders ...what is their take on this?  Why are they immune to the laws of the road, and moral obligations of safety of others.

Well, to hear my dad's reasoning, it is "I have to; this is business." It's not illegal there, but I still don't like it.

MsCavillo, how is talking on a hands-free device any more distracting than talking to a passenger or listening to a radio? At least both hands are available to handle the car and I'd say a phone call on a hands-free device is far less distracting than a back seat full of bickering children.