California Highway Patrol officers are holding roving and fixed patrol posts along area roadways to ensure motorists are abiding by the new law, which took effect today.
The law requires drivers 18 and over to use hands-free cell phone devices while operating a vehicle. Drivers under 18 are now prohibited from using any cell phone device while driving.
CHP officers will be posted along several area roadways and highways Tuesday.
In Sacramento County, officers were posted at 6 a.m. at the intersection of Arden Way and Fair Oaks Boulevard. Officers also were to patrol from 7 to 9 a.m. along Highway 99 from Elk Grove Boulevard to Florin Road.
In Placer County, officers were stationed at 6 a.m. at the intersection of Auburn-Folsom Road at Douglas Boulevard in Granite Bay. Officers also were to be posted from 7 to 10 a.m. on Highway 28 at Kings Beach, from 3 to 8 p.m. on Interstate 80 at Castle Peak and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. eastbound Interstate 80 at Highway 174 in Colfax.
In El Dorado County, officers were to be stationed from 7 to 10 a.m. at El Dorado Hills Boulevard between Highway 50 and Olson Lane and from 7 to 10 a.m. on Highway 50 at the agriculture checkpoint in South Lake Tahoe.
CHP officers also will be stationed from 3 to 5 p.m. on Highway 99 at Lincoln Way in Yuba City; from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Highway 49 at Martell Road near Jackson; at noon on Highway 99 at Mangrove Avenue in Chico; and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Brunswick Basin area near Highway 49 in Grass Valley.
Drivers stopped will be educated about the new law and may be issued citations or given a "stern warning," officials said.
The base fine for a first offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With penalty assessments, however, the cost of the first offense rises to $76 and a second is $190. The violation does not count against a motorist's driving record, but is a reportable offense and may impact insurance rates, CHP Officer Kelly Baraga said.
Tom Marshall, a CHP spokesman, said drivers over 18 old can be pulled over if officers see them talking on cell phones. However, officers must have other probable cause to pull over drivers under 18 that are observed using devices while driving because they can't assume a person is younger than 18.
"We can't pull them over just for that," he said, referring to using devices other than cell phones.
But there are many vehicle codes an officer can use to justify pulling over a motorist, Marshall said.
"An officer would be able to find some reason," he said.
The intent of the law for drivers under 18 is to get them off their phones while driving, he said.
"We don't want them distracted by phone conversations," Marshall said. "The intent of law for everyone else is to have both hands on wheel."
The law allows drivers to use a wireless phone to make emergency calls to law enforcement, a medical provider, the fire department or other emergency services agencies.
Call The Bee's Niesha Lofing, (916) 321-1270.
