Golden Gate Bridge on a Foggy Day (iPhone)
August, 2011
(click in the image for a larger version)
New California Law: No Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving
Attention California Drivers...(and other drivers who should look into the laws in their states taking effect this weekend): There is a new cell phone/driving law taking effect in California on Sunday, Jan 1st, 2017. No hand-held use of the phone while driving....PERIOD. In the past, the law was limited to making calls and texting, but now it refers to ANY cell phone use. When I drive, I have a hands-free set-up for answering any incoming calls, and I do not use the phone for texting, checking email, Facebook, etc.... (not using the phone for those latter uses seems a pretty obvious no-brainer).
But I am making this post as a photographer and, as a photographer, I must confess that I have certainly been guilty of taking occasional photos now and then while in the car, such as the image above of the Golden Gate Bridge, taken while there was very little traffic surrounding me (empty lanes opposite me and no cars near me in the southbound lane as I crossed the span), but I only do so when I deem it safe based on the road and traffic conditions at the time (though, of course, depending on your view of that practice, this is, understandably, up for debate). This law is focused on cell phones only and does not address the many other potentially distracting in-car activities, like consuming food, loading music CDs (if you're old school in your music listening practices...as I am w/ some of my music), or attending to children.
Here's a link to an article about the New California Cell Phone Driving Law.
