Stanford Report, June 18, 2008

Cell phone laws to take effect starting on July 1

Stanford police have begun passing out informational material about the two new state laws that pertain to the use of a handheld wireless telephone while operating a moving vehicle. Officers were stationed at various intersections on campus on Tuesday, and later this month, the Department of Public Safety will have information on its website at http://police.stanford.edu.

As of July 1, motorists age 18 and older may talk on a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle only if they use a hands-free device. The second law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a moving vehicle.

The base fine for a first offense is $20, $50 for subsequent offenses, and with the addition of penalty assessment, fines can grow to more than triple the base amount. Violation of the new laws will be a reportable offense, but the California Department of Motor Vehicles will not assign a point to the violator's record.

The DMV has created a question-and-answer page about the new wireless telephone laws at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/index.htm.