California Texting and Driving Law

April 16, 2014

Policy Identification• California Vehicle Code 23123.5

Effective January 1, 2013 No electronic device while driving

• Exception to law Hands-free devices

• Penalties Infraction Base fine 20 dollars Additional offense 50 dollars

• Importance of law 62% of Californian’s thought texting and driving was largest traffic safety

problem

Introduction

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org

History and Background• Early 1900’s

Mobile radios in squad cars Channel interference

• 1930’s Congress created Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Regulating radio frequencies

• 1940’s First mobile radio service approved Push to talk phone created by AT&T

Claimed as failure

• 1950’s Radio Common Carriers (RCC) were authorized

Introduction

http://www.cio.com

History and Background• 1970’s Advancements

Self-dialing was standard in United States FCC allowed cell phone frequencies First portable phone call FCC encouraged advancements from cell phone industry

• Electric Company Lawsuit Slowed cell phone company progress Chicago cell phone testing

• 1980’s FCC admitted to slowing down phone companies with lawsuit

Set parameters and guidelines

Cellular Technology Industry Association created

Introduction

History and Background• First Text Message

December 3, 1992 From Neil Papworth’s computer to Richard Jarvis’ mobile phone Said ‘Merry Christmas’

• New Style of Texting December 10, 1995 Text on 9 Keys, T9

• 9000i Communicator 1997 Nokia First cell phone with full keyboard Car crash statistics

Introduction

http://buynokiamobile.blogspot.com/

History and Background• Hands-free Technology

2001 studies 2002 studies

• Distracted Driving Studies Harvard 2002 Harvard 2005 University of Utah 2006

• Effects of Using Cell Phones While Driving 5.36 times more likely to crash 9% slower to hit brakes 24% increase in variation of following distance 19% slower to accelerate back to normal speed

Introduction

http://techchannel.radioshack.com

History and Background• Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association

2006 Over 100 million motorist use cell phones while driving

• National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2006

8% drivers talking on phone Up 2% from 2002

• December 2007 More texts than phone calls

• Legislation No texting bans as of 2007 Both political parties have supported cell phone industry

Introduction

Current Situation• Barack Obama 2008

• Smart Phones 2008 15% of Americans owned 310 texts per month

• National Safety Council 1.4 million car accidents 200,000 car accidents 1.6 million total

• NHTSA and US Department of Transportation Distracted driving awareness

• ABC reports 2010 Crash statistics in California, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Washington

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com

Current Situation• New California legislation

Vehicle Code 23124 January 1, 2014 Under 18 no hands free Secondary law

• Punishments Infraction Base fine 20 dollars Additional offense 50 dollars

• Economic Vehicle Code 23123 effective January 1, 2009 Collision claims

Differing Viewpoint #1Prevention and Awareness

• Government web campaign www.distraction.gov Stop the Texts, Stop the Wrecks

• NHTSA and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Inform parents about young drivers

Discuss dangers Phone bill

• Preventative measures paired with enforcement Parent Teachers Law enforcement

http://www.noys.org

Differing Viewpoint #2Law Enforcement

• Beliefs Dangerous

• Catching drivers Massachusetts Police Department

275,000 dollar grant Undercover policemen

• Law enforcement paired with Awareness www.distraction.gov Stop the Texts, Stop the Wrecks

http://www.mlive.com

Compare and ContrastSimilarities• Distracted Driving is dangerous

• Can’t have one without the other

Differences• Proactive

• Reactive

RecommendationCalifornia Legislation Driving Offenses Vehicle Code 23123.5

• Partially effective California vs. Arizona Hands-free operation

Dangerous Increase in accidents

Insurance Claims

• Amend Section ‘A’ Hands-free Unintended Consequences

Emergencies

Vehicle Code 23124 Political Support

http://wfpl.org

Conclusion• California Vehicle Code 23123.5

No electronic devices Except with hands free feature

• Texting and driving bans Several states around the country

• Recent studies prove Hands free is just as dangerous

• Proactive and Reactive Both sides are important Work together

• This law is partially effective

Thank You! Any

Questions?