Drivers still talking on cell phones: Year-old law hasn't made ...

Although the state law banning drivers from talking on their cell phones without a hands-free device has been in effect for one year, it seems the regulation is doing little to deter drivers from chatting while commuting.

[Stop the Ignorance]

People only ignore the laws that are stupid. I see people doing all kinds of things while they are driving that are much worse than talking on a cell phone, but it's only against the law to talk or text on a cell phone.
Personally I am glad texting is illegal, but shouldn't reading a map or a book, or putting on makeup also be banned? Talking on a cell phone is no worse than talking to a passenger in the car. I think most people can manage to talk and drive. It's an idiotic and unecessary law. The police need to be out catching vandals and robbers and rapists and murderers and such, not writing tickets for nonsense laws.

[Lobbyist Ruined Govt]

"Stop the Ignorance" is right on the money; the only reason talking on a cell phone is against the law is because the makers of BlueTooth devices lobbied the govt to pass the law; just like the insurance industry lobbied the govt for the $1000 fine to drive without insurance; just like the ignition interlock industry is lobbying the govt to make that a mandate when convicted of a DUI. It's all about lobbyist and money and revenue any longer. Its getting pretty disgusting to live in California.

[Its stupid]

The fact that you're engaging in a conversation is why you're distracted from the road. But it's illegal to hold your hand to your ear. People aren't following the law because it doesn't make any sense. And I'm guessing a lot of police officers choose not to enforce this law because they think it's stupid too.

[an opinion]

I have to agree with all above. The cell phone law just doesn't make any sense. I've always felt that it's just one more way for our government to stick it to us. When I was sixteen, I was changing my out a cassette tape and rammed into a car ahead of me. I think eating a burger while driving is more dangerous then talking on the cell phone. I commute long distance to work every day. As soon as I hit the freeway I'm on my cell phone. It's a habit. It's a love/hate relationship. Our laws send mixed messages. Drinking and driving is against the law, but we have alcoholic establishments open until 2am. People used to be encouraged to walk home from a bar after drinking, but now, you get a drunk in public. There are bars, people drink in bars. I'm surprised patrol cars aren't lined up down the streets waiting to arrest bar goers as they walk to their car or drive home. I see law enforcement, judges, all kinds of people taking advantage of a few beers after work at any given establishment. How do they get home?

[Get a clue]

Tell the woman killed in Redding a few months ago, after being slammed into from behind by a woman on her cell phone, that it's a stupid law.

The thing that is stupid is the moronic people who think they have the right to endanger others, so they can find out what happened on "The Hills" last night.

[erroronpage]

that fella in the photo is heading for the roundabout..a woman driver with two barking dogs in her lap just turned left in the roundabout..a fast large SUV is coming...call AAA

[Do The Math]

Whether or not the law is stupid is completely irrelevant. It's still the law and that excuse to law enforcement will fall on deaf ears as they are writing the citation. What I find completely amazing is that for less than the cost of one citation, you can buy a decent blue tooth. Souza is also a moron for publicly announcing that she is going to continue to use her cell phone and drive. It sounds like a challenge to the cops to "come and get me", which I hope they do.

[common sense]

"It's not affected my usage at all," Souza said.

Souza does not own a Bluetooth or headset for her cell phone and said she spends about 25 minutes a day on her cell phone while driving.

"I definitely use my cell phone everyday while driving," Souza said.

Seems like she's thrown a challenge to our District Attorney!

[Rusty Bradley]

Stop the Ignorance wrote:

People only ignore the laws that are stupid. I see people doing all kinds of things while they are driving that are much worse than talking on a cell phone, but it's only against the law to talk or text on a cell phone.
Personally I am glad texting is illegal, but shouldn't reading a map or a book, or putting on makeup also be banned? Talking on a cell phone is no worse than talking to a passenger in the car. I think most people can manage to talk and drive. It's an idiotic and unecessary law. The police need to be out catching vandals and robbers and rapists and murderers and such, not writing tickets for nonsense laws.

I ride a motorcycle and I can tell you straight out that the law should be inforced. People driving cars are already too distracted and the phone is just another way to avoid doing what a driver should do- drive! People get killed and injured because boneheads have to be on a phone while they drive. It isn't that an incident happens just once in a while, every time I ride I see people in cars talking on phones and making stupid decisions and mistakes. Failure to yield, lane drifting, cutting off lanes-get off the phone and drive!

[Rusty Bradley]

Lobbyist Ruined Govt wrote:

"Stop the Ignorance" is right on the money; the only reason talking on a cell phone is against the law is because the makers of BlueTooth devices lobbied the govt to pass the law; just like the insurance industry lobbied the govt for the $1000 fine to drive without insurance; just like the ignition interlock industry is lobbying the govt to make that a mandate when convicted of a DUI. It's all about lobbyist and money and revenue any longer. Its getting pretty disgusting to live in California.

Please move back to wherever you came from.

[Stay Fire Safe]

The fact is, that this is a law, and has been for over a year now, so get over your whining and comply already! The State gave us all, I believe, a year to comply with the upcoming law, so if I do the math correctly, that is TWO years now that we all have known that you need to get some type of hands free device. EVERY single time there is someone ahead of me obviously distracted while they drive they are on their phone...and it is every age, sex and type of person, so no "group" seems to be immune to this illegal behavior. And, I am sure Chico PD will be more than happy to accommodate Ms. Souza's "dare" of not complying with the law. What a moron she is. Keep paying those $100 fines honey. The simple fact is that talking on your phone while driving is dangerous and illegal. If you don't like it, leave California...PLEASE!! And, don't even get me started on red light runners....

[Stop the Ignorance]

Get a clue wrote:

Tell the woman killed in Redding a few months ago, after being slammed into from behind by a woman on her cell phone, that it's a stupid law.
The thing that is stupid is the moronic people who think they have the right to endanger others, so they can find out what happened on "The Hills" last night.

The lady might have gotten rearended and killed even if the lady wasn't talking on the phone. Why blame it on the phone? People did stupid things to cause accidents way before cell phones were even invented.

[Stop the Ignorance]

Rusty Bradley wrote:

<quoted text>
I ride a motorcycle and I can tell you straight out that the law should be inforced. People driving cars are already too distracted and the phone is just another way to avoid doing what a driver should do- drive! People get killed and injured because boneheads have to be on a phone while they drive. It isn't that an incident happens just once in a while, every time I ride I see people in cars talking on phones and making stupid decisions and mistakes. Failure to yield, lane drifting, cutting off lanes-get off the phone and drive!

Maybe we should consider banning motorcycles because they ride between cars in a non lane all over the place. They fail to yield, speed, cut people off drift and they are loud. Get off your high horse and drive!

[Stop the Ignorance]

Rusty Bradley wrote:

<quoted text>
Please move back to wherever you came from.

I agree with the person you responded to and I was born and raised right here in northern California. Are you gonna tell me to go back to where I came from? I am not such a loyal Californian that I am going to let the government walk all over me. If enough of us who are fed up all leave, California will be nothing. Don't forget what happened to the King of England when he got a little too full of himself, all those taxpayers went away.

[C-YA]

Stop the Ignorance wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree with the person you responded to and I was born and raised right here in northern California. Are you gonna tell me to go back to where I came from? I am not such a loyal Californian that I am going to let the government walk all over me. If enough of us who are fed up all leave, California will be nothing. Don't forget what happened to the King of England when he got a little too full of himself, all those taxpayers went away.

Feel free to join them!!

[Losers]

Only, selfish, self-centered, irresponsible people talk on the cell phone while driving. If people are still talking on cell phones after all the statistics are showing how incredibly dangerous it is they are just not paying any attention. Which would fit their lifestyle of not paying attention to the road while driving. it seems to me the best way to get these menaces off the road is to increase the fine. Make the fine the same as drunk driving and take away their licenses. If you want to be irresponsible while driving that is your business. If you want to do it on a road with other drivers, or kids on bikes, or pedestrians that is all of our business. Shut up and drive or pull over and talk. Your phone call isn't as important as other people's safety. If you can't be a responsible member of society you shouldn't be a part of society.

[Stay Fire Safe]

Losers wrote:

Only, selfish, self-centered, irresponsible people talk on the cell phone while driving. If people are still talking on cell phones after all the statistics are showing how incredibly dangerous it is they are just not paying any attention. Which would fit their lifestyle of not paying attention to the road while driving. it seems to me the best way to get these menaces off the road is to increase the fine. Make the fine the same as drunk driving and take away their licenses. If you want to be irresponsible while driving that is your business. If you want to do it on a road with other drivers, or kids on bikes, or pedestrians that is all of our business. Shut up and drive or pull over and talk. Your phone call isn't as important as other people's safety. If you can't be a responsible member of society you shouldn't be a part of society.

I could not have said it any better Losers!!! I agree that the fine should be much higher than $20 for a first offense...obviously not a deterent. I also think after say 2 citations, there should be additional penalties...maybe you cannot re-register your car without paying a huge fine. Maybe that would convince Ms. Souza and the rest of you that you need to stop your arrogant, irresponsible behavior and get off your friggen phone. WHO in the world are all you people talking to? Cell phones are like pacifiers for "adults." It's like some people cannot function unless they are talking/texting someone. Get off your phone, ask you kids/spouse/friend how there day was (if they are in the car with you), and (gasp) have an actual conversation with someone instead of yacking on your phone. It is a law people, get used to it and stop endangering my life because you are too stubborn, foolish and arrogant to obey the law.

[Just Cuz]

i'll stop talking on my phone when cops stop talking on theirs with out a bluetooth...

[Rusty Bradley]

Stop the Ignorance wrote:

<quoted text>
Maybe we should consider banning motorcycles because they ride between cars in a non lane all over the place. They fail to yield, speed, cut people off drift and they are loud. Get off your high horse and drive!

Thats really sticking to point. The fact is, there is no law regarding lane sharing in the state of Califronia. There is a law about talking on the phone while youi drive.

[Rusty Bradley]

Stop the Ignorance wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree with the person you responded to and I was born and raised right here in northern California. Are you gonna tell me to go back to where I came from? I am not such a loyal Californian that I am going to let the government walk all over me. If enough of us who are fed up all leave, California will be nothing. Don't forget what happened to the King of England when he got a little too full of himself, all those taxpayers went away.

I still hope you leave. Please go. If you think that the government is walking all over you then move to a place that is more free. Go find it. Hurry. Please.