California citizens are expressing concerns over a recently passed law that is in effect as of Monday — prohibiting nearly all handheld use of cellphones and other mobile devices while behind the wheel.
The law states that the act of physically holding a phone for any reason while driving — including using GPS, changing music or reading messages — will be banned. Doing so will result in a citation. Mobile devices are encouraged to be mounted, and interactions must be limited to a single motion.
According to the AAA — the Automobile Club of Southern California — distracted driving has resulted in more than 3,500 deaths in the U.S. per year. The organization supports this new legislation, calling it a crucial step to lowering that statistic, especially within California.
Others are skeptical, arguing that not everyone can have Apple CarPlay or voice control devices. Those who welcome the ban are emphasizing the need to reduce careless driving on California roads.
