On January 1, California prohibited persons from texting while driving. This new law, found in California Vehicle Code Section 23123.5, covers activities beyond text messaging. Specifically, the section states
A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send or read a text-based communication.
The code further states that this prohibition applies to text messages, instant messages and electronic mails. Now, for the strange part. The code specifically excludes “read[ing], select[ing] or enter[ing] a telephone number or name … for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call.” So, some form of text input is apparently safe, but not others.
The real quirk is the focus on text-based communication. Video conferencing? Gaming? Entering text into an electronic diary? Maintaining a to-do list? Not prohibited by this law.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s good to have implemented this law. Driver’s distraction is one of the common causes of car accidents. Using cell phone in any way while driving is certainly a distraction.
I think the addition was left out inadvertently from the July 2008 call regulation; and it needed to be put it. However, one clearly does need to dial a phone number; even to activate bluetooth (unless all phones are standard with voice dialing; and there’s no mandatory fee for such use).
However, my comment was to address the original message; whereas, “So, some form of text input is apparently safe, but not others.” The state of CA is not stating which portion (if any) of dialing; nor any time to dial; or place; is safe… rather that it is “permitted” and not a violation of the statute. To imply the state left it out to mean that dialing is evaluated to be safe is a misconception that will lead to overconfidence, injury, or legal trouble.
I think this is smart, people should be more careful while driving on the roads that my family drives on.