Driving and using a cell phone are two actions that don’t mix well. Research from Carnegie Mellon University suggests that using a cell phone while behind the wheel can reduce brain activity associated with operating a motor vehicle by as much as 37 percent. Nationwide, over 3,000 people were killed as a result of automobile accidents involving a distracted driver in 2010. With these statistics, it’s no wonder why it’s against the law to use a hand-held phone while operating a motor vehicle in California.
In the Golden State, using a cellular device while driving can get you a ticket, but it is not considered a moving violation, so it shouldn’t appear on a person’s record. Consequently, auto insurance companies won’t be notified of the offense, so policyholders shouldn’t suffer any surcharges as a direct result of the ticket.
There is one scenario where such a ticket could affect premiums indirectly, though. After receiving a traffic ticket, California motorists are required to either pay their fine or appear in court. Failing to do either of these could cause the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend the offending resident’s driver’s license. Although a cell phone violation will not impact a person’s driving record, a license suspension will. Coverage providers are likely to take notice of this offense and charge more for vehicle coverage. With a blemished record, making a car insurance comparison is likely to produce higher priced policies.
In the near future, cell phone violations may directly impact a person’s driving record and how much they pay for insurance. As of March 2012, California Senate Bill 1310 is making its way through the legal system. If passed, motorists who are caught using a wireless telephone while behind the wheel would be assessed a point on their record for their second violation and any subsequent convictions, which insurers would likely be able to see.
If someone is caught driving in the Golden State while texting or talking on a phone without the use of a hands-free device, they could be ticketed and fined up to $20 for the first offense and $50 for any subsequent offenses. Motorists may think that this is a fairly small sum, but offenders usually end up paying considerably more in additional fees and court costs. In many cities, these fees will result in a minimum fine of $159 for first-time offenses, and $279 for subsequent ones.
Motorists in the Golden State may be tempted to use their phone or wireless device to talk to friends or find parking in Los Angeles, but distracted driving can have serious consequences. Apart from the obvious accident risks, the possibility of paying a significantly higher car insurance premium should be enough incentive to either purchase a hands-free device, or avoid talking while behind the wheel altogether.
Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/compare/
