Eating While Driving in California-Prohibited
Driving within the state of California can be more of a hassle at times than a privilege. A main concern of California drivers is worrying about the increased risk of an accident and traffic jams wherever you go. In addition to these foundational hassles, state law makers have increased the stress level of driving in California.
Within the past couple of years, California has adopted new laws for drivers to abide by or else face paying a hefty fine. In July of 2008, the hands free device for all cell phone use was implemented, making using a cell phone without a hands free device illegal. I can recall seeing a news report on the first day this law was passed and the pulled over drivers in their cars
were outraged yet surprised on how serious law enforcement was in upholding the new law. In January of 2009, California law makers took the hands free law to the next level outlawing text messaging. According to a 2008 study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, text messaging increased the risk of an accident by 23 times. Along with a multitude of other legitimate studies the no text messaging law has been implemented and enforced by law enforcement. The first violation of these laws leads to a $20.00 fine, and repeated offenses are $50.00.
In addition to the no cell phone and text laws, the state of California has also adopted the no eating and drinking while driving law. If law enforcement catches you eating or drinking while driving, they will pull you over and issue a citation. This has had many drivers perplexed and confused, but nonetheless has been enforced and will continue to be enforced by state law makers and enforcement. It has been studied by valid researchers that eating while driving constitutes for 80% of accidents. The first violation is a $90.00 fine, the second is a $240.00 fine, and a third violation is a definite suspension of your license for 30 days.There is no definite end as to what law makers will create to decrease the risk of accidents.
September 26th, 2012 - 00:05
Land of the free? If the state can figure out anymore ways to get a buck out of you, it will. Time to get rid of the legislators who keep coming up with this crap!
October 17th, 2012 - 07:03
I’m with you Karen
December 5th, 2012 - 05:14
Bah! That renders my brand new in dash BBQ-Grill-microwave-drinks fountain combo unit useless!
December 5th, 2012 - 22:08
This is bull shit! If you want to reduce the amount of accidents make it illegal to drive, thats the only way you will reduce this number.
April 2nd, 2013 - 19:15
Banning texting while driving I can understand, but eating and drinking? That is bullshit. I’m sure almost everyone eat/drink while driving (i.e sipping their morning coffee) because it saves them time while they drive to school/work. You can still keep your eyes on the road while eating/drinking unlike texting. How many people will be outraged by this law?
April 3rd, 2013 - 17:15
I think banning texting makes sense. So i hope these same officers that are giving out tickets will now stop being on there phones while on duty and driving here in LA. I see it quite often. Now as far as driving and eating, some people have long commutes for work, and seeing customers. Many live in their car during work hours. So me eating french fries is now a problem or me drinking a drink out of a straw? I can see it being a problem if the person has to tilt a cup up to take a sip of a drink, that can obscure vision. So if we can have a hands free device to speak, then why can’t we find ways for ppl who only have time to eat while in motion.
April 10th, 2013 - 16:46
Driving is a big privilege and responsibility. Eating and drinking during the exercise of the responsibility of driving is a now illegal luxury. Eating and drinking are not necessary to driving. And if it’s been shown to cause a majority if accidents, and therefore many deaths, then are we so spoiled and stubborn that we still insist on doing it? I will stop now that the data is in, and now that I know it is illegal. I don’t want to but I will because if it might end in death, I really can eat later or pull over and eat. Yes it’s a drag but killing myself or someone else, or even being in a fender-bender, is much more of a drag. It’d just be pure arrogance to think that I 100% can control what happens when you eat and drive. Data’s saying no I can’t. And neither can you. I want my actions to be about bringing life to my fellow citizens, not death.
April 12th, 2013 - 22:43
What next? No passengers in the car because of possible distractions?