The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 2 reminds motorists that, effective Jan. 1, which is Thursday, a new law bans writing, sending or reading a text-based communication while driving motor vehicles in the State of California.
This new law applies to devices used to communicate manually with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, text messages, instant messaging or e-mail.
Violators will be fined $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
This new law complements SB 1613 requiring motorists to use hands-free devices while talking on a mobile phone when driving.
Here are more new laws that take effect Thursday in California.
Photo courtesy msnbc.com
