Veto! Brown Says He Doesn't See Need For 'ratcheting up' Fines for Motorists Using Cellphones Illegally

Photo by wavebreakmedia ltd via Shutterstock

Our state laws regarding cellphone use while at the wheel of our cars, and while we're riding on two wheels, are staying status quo. Tuesday, Governor Jerry Brown vetoed State Bill 28, which would have seen fines for illegal cellphone use while driving double. The bill also included new legislation that would have applied to bicyclists' use of cellphones.

In his veto memo for SB 28, Brown said:

I certainly support discouraging cell phone use while driving a car, but not ratcheting up the penalties as prescribed by this bill.

For people of ordinary means, current fines and penalty assessments should be sufficient deterrent.

SB 28's author, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), said Brown's veto is “a lost opportunity to save more lives," and that he would "review the Governor’s veto message to see if there is any room for compromise in the coming year.”

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By Lindsay William-Ross in News on September 7, 2011 10:30 AM

Comments [rss]

geeem

Totally support Brown on this one.

Javier

Finally someone has some common sense and realizes that just upping the fee isn't going to prevent this from happening.

Chet

Agreed. It's common sense. No one on this panel could probably even cite how much the CURRENT penalties are (without looking it up online). More work needs to be done on publicizing how much the existing penalties are...

filmobsessed

Thank God. Finally some common sense.

Keith Hammons

Finally, someone using reason and not instituting a further nanny-state.

328la

A missed opportunity to get more revenue.

Eddie Aguirre

How about just ticketing people for driving like idiots. Does it matter if they're on their cell phone or simply talking to the person in the passenger seat, or that person driving 50 mph in the fast lane without traffic.

Idiot drivers were around before cell phones. There are plenty of laws that can be used to ticket distracted drivers already, why do we need to create new ones for each possible distraction?

And how about this. Rather than assuming that every driver is unable to properly operate a motor vehicle while talking on the phone, try ticketing those who actually cause accidents.

The Ugly American

...or that person driving 50 mph in the fast lane without traffic.

Definitely my biggest pet peeve.

Diane Palmer

INFURIATING!!

thehighandlow

"For people of ordinary means, current fines and penalty assessments should be sufficient deterrent."
...But it's so not! I see more than I can count on 2 hands worth of people blatantly on their cellphones in total disregard for the law and the safety of themselves and others on a daily basis.

Joe D.

The only reason why brown doesn't see texting drivers to be a problem is because he will likely never cross a busy street in Los Angeles. He will never have a car turn right while the driver isn't even looking at the road crushing his body until he dies.

I am so disappointed in brown. Almost makes this lifetime democrat think republican.

Chet

If your entire lifelong value system can be changed over the result of a single (and obscure) event that you had no control over...then you're not a very good Democrat anyway. I'm sure the republiscum would love to have you (they are a soul-less lot)...