California Legislature Passes SB 1030 – Distracted Driving To Add a Point to Driving Record1
Senator Josh Newman (Fullerton) gained approval for Senate Bill 1030 on April 30th. If Governor Brown signs the Bill into law, insurance companies will add a point to the driving record of any person caught operating a cellular telephone while driving. According to Senator Newman, “Current pentalites in California don’t go far enough to deter dangerous distracted driving behavior.”2
Senate Bill 1030 reads as follows:
“Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving. Existing law also prohibits a person from driving while holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device unless the telephone or device is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation, and is used in that manner while driving. A person who is 18 years of age or younger is prohibited from driving while using a wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device, even if equipped with a hands-free device.
Existing law establishes that specified convictions and violations under the Vehicle Code and traffic-related incidents count as points against a driver’s record for purposes of suspension or revocation of the privilege to drive and that certain other violations do not result in a violation point. Existing law provides an exemption for the electronic device violations described above from being counted as points against a driver’s record for purposes of suspension or revocation of the privilege to drive.
This bill would abolish that exemption, thereby making those violations subject to a violation point against the driver’s record.”3
Sources Cited / Notes (SB 1030):
1 Article posted May 1, 2018.
2 “Distracted Driving May Add a Point to Your Driving Record,” 13 CBS Sacramento, April 30, 2018.
3 Senate Bill 1030, Introduced by Senator Newman, February 8, 2018. An act to repal Section 12810.3 of the Vehicle Code, relating to driver’s licenses.
