CELL-PHONE BILL SET FOR SIGNING.Byline: STEVE GEISSINGER Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO -- Motorists will be banned from using handheld cell phones -- a problem blamed for thousands of vehicle crashes and fatalities -- under a measure expected to be signed today by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (German pronunciation (IPA): [ˈaɐ̯nɔlt ˈaloɪ̯s ˈʃvaɐ̯ʦənˌʔɛɡɐ] . Modeled after a New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. law, Senate Bill 1613 fines drivers using handheld cell phones $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses beginning Jan. 1, 2008. It does not apply to drivers using hands-free models and exempts motorists using handheld cell phones in emergencies. The signing ceremony A signing ceremony is a ceremony in which a bill passed by a legislature is signed (approved) by an executive, thus becoming a law. Modern-day signing ceremonies are derived from ceremonies that occurred when the British monarch gave Royal Assent to acts of Parliament. is scheduled at the Hilton in Oakland, where the governor also is expected to discuss a state jobs report due out earlier in the day. Sen. Joe Simitian S. Joseph "Joe" Simitian is a Democratic California State Senator, who was elected to replace the term-limited Byron Sher in the 2004 elections. The 11th Senate District encompasses all or part of 13 cities in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, including Atherton, East , D-Palo Alto, authored the bill and hailed the anticipated signing by the governor. ``Accidents by drivers using handheld phones outnumber those driving hands-free by a ratio of 25-1,'' he said. Supporters include insurers and law enforcement groups across the state. Although it could be difficult to enforce, police agencies have said they will try. ``We hope there will be voluntary compliance,'' said Capt. Ronald Marbrey of the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Police Department's Valley Traffic Division. ``But an individual just driving down the road (using a handheld cell phone), and being in control, may get stopped.'' steve.geissinger(at)angnewspapers.com (916) 447-9302 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion