California Legislation Has Auto Insurance Implications
The recently approved bill would add a driving-record point for subsequent violations of the ban on texting or talking on the phone while driving.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 22, 2011 ) Texting or talking on handheld cell phones while driving could be getting a lot costlier for California drivers if a bill that would stiffen penalties for those offenses is signed into law.
The proposed law would significantly increase fines and fees for flouting the state’s existing hands-free and no-texting laws. And because it calls for adding points to motorists’ driving records, the legislation could make it a challenge for scofflaws to find low down payment auto insurance or other inexpensive coverage.
Talking on a handheld phone or texting behind the wheel is already illegal in California, thanks to separate pieces of legislation that took effect in 2009.
State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) says those laws have increased safety on the state’s roadways, and he thinks tougher deterrents should make roads safer still.
His bill would:
--Increase fines for a first offense from $20 to $50. With penalties and fees added, it would bump the average statewide cost of a first strike from about $190 to more than $300.
--Raise the fine for a subsequent violation from $50 to $100.
--Expand the existing laws to include bicyclists, who would pay $20 for an initial violation and $50 thereafter.
--Add a point to motorists’ driving records for violations following a first offense.
The changes could add up to big money for those cited, and not just because of the increased fines and fees.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, driving records are among the main factors insurers consider in setting policy rates. And additional points can result in higher insurance premiums or even policy cancellation.
California is one of 34 states that prohibit texting and nine that have barred handheld cell phone use by motorists.
Source: http://www.distraction.gov/state-laws/index.html
But nearly one-third of motorists who participated in a California Office of Traffic Safety survey earlier this year admitted they regularly text or talk on the phone while driving.
In addition to toughening penalties, Simitian’s bill would also provide funding for distracted driver education programs.
To read more about this and other vehicle insurance issues, go to http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/pay-monthly/, where you will find informative resource pages and a free-to-use quote-comparison generator that consumers can use to get sample premiums for many vehicle makes and models.
The proposed law would significantly increase fines and fees for flouting the state’s existing hands-free and no-texting laws. And because it calls for adding points to motorists’ driving records, the legislation could make it a challenge for scofflaws to find low down payment auto insurance or other inexpensive coverage.
Talking on a handheld phone or texting behind the wheel is already illegal in California, thanks to separate pieces of legislation that took effect in 2009.
State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) says those laws have increased safety on the state’s roadways, and he thinks tougher deterrents should make roads safer still.
His bill would:
--Increase fines for a first offense from $20 to $50. With penalties and fees added, it would bump the average statewide cost of a first strike from about $190 to more than $300.
--Raise the fine for a subsequent violation from $50 to $100.
--Expand the existing laws to include bicyclists, who would pay $20 for an initial violation and $50 thereafter.
--Add a point to motorists’ driving records for violations following a first offense.
The changes could add up to big money for those cited, and not just because of the increased fines and fees.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, driving records are among the main factors insurers consider in setting policy rates. And additional points can result in higher insurance premiums or even policy cancellation.
California is one of 34 states that prohibit texting and nine that have barred handheld cell phone use by motorists.
Source: http://www.distraction.gov/state-laws/index.html
But nearly one-third of motorists who participated in a California Office of Traffic Safety survey earlier this year admitted they regularly text or talk on the phone while driving.
In addition to toughening penalties, Simitian’s bill would also provide funding for distracted driver education programs.
To read more about this and other vehicle insurance issues, go to http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/pay-monthly/, where you will find informative resource pages and a free-to-use quote-comparison generator that consumers can use to get sample premiums for many vehicle makes and models.
Contact Information:
Online Auto Insurance, LLC
Gregor McGavin
Tel: 909-784-2476
Email us
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.
Online Auto Insurance, LLC
Gregor McGavin
Tel: 909-784-2476
Email us
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.
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