Legislation & Lobbying
New Calif. Ban on Driver Cell Calls Doesn't Cover Text Messages
California lawmakers took a step in the right direction when they prohibited drivers from talking on handheld cell phones under a new law that takes effect July 1.
But they missed an opportunity by not at the same time prohibiting drivers from sending text messages, says a Mercury News editorial.
“That requires not only holding a device but looking at it,” the San Jose newspaper points out. “And doesn’t texting take two hands? This would leave steering to—what, the elbows?”
