The new law will fine teenagers $20 for "a first offense" and $50 "each time after that."
Another law taking effect July 1st requires "all drivers [not just teenagers] to use hands-free communication devices" while driving.
"'I know that driving and having a cell phone are a rite of passage for our children,'" said Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, who supported the hands-free device law. However, he continues, "'The combination is clearly a deadly one.'"
According to a survey by the American Automobile Association and Seventeen magazine, "about 30 percent of teens polled admitted to being distracted when driving while either sending text messages or talking on cell phones."
Teens also admitted in an eighth-grade history class that they were in support of the bill.
"'It surprised me,'" said Craig Cook, their teacher. "'I try as a teacher not to assume too much, and you'd expect most of the kids would think of this as a horrible intrusion in their lives. But by a two-to-one vote, they supported the bill.'"
