Governator Bans Cell Phone Use in California

Although it can be sometimes difficult to discern what Ah-nold is telling us, the message this time around is quite clear. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has decreed that it is now illegal to use a cell phone, pager, laptop, or handheld computer while driving a vehicle. The saving grace is that this new law only applies to 16- and 17-year-olds.

Set to take effect on July 1st of next year, the new law is obviously designed to reduce accident rates among the folks who are most prone to getting into accidents: new drivers. First time offenders get a rather mild $20 fine, whereas repeat offenders receive a $50 fine. I think that’s much too cheap and won’t act as much of a deterrent.

Was Hulk Hogan’s son Nick on a phone while he was speeding into that accident? How about Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton during their DUI charges? Alas, they’re all over 17.