News Poll
 
What one business would you like to see downtown?
Bike shop
Hardware store
Grocery store
Dry cleaner
Dance/Nightclub
Other
Past Polls
   Top News
 
   Opinion
 

 Editorial: Coordinated approach needed to curb gang violence
Nov 6, 2009
 
 Letters: Don't believe health care lobbyists who are fostering fear
Nov 6, 2009
 
  More Opinion...
   

NEWS > LOCAL


Police enforcing cell phone traffic law
Dec 1, 2008
 By Michael Moore

Morgan Hill

Nearly 70 motorists have been cited by Morgan Hill Police for talking on their cell phones while driving in the last five months.

According to MHPD officials, as of Nov. 26 local traffic enforcement officers have issued 67 tickets for violations of the new law which went into effect July 1, making it illegal for any driver to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a vehicle.

Other law enforcement agencies in the area have enforced the law just as actively, and Commander David Swing of the MHPD said the local department has not instituted a "specialized enforcement" strategy for the new law. In fact, the numbers of citations may drop off as more motorists become aware of the law.

"When any new law comes out, there is a certain amount of education (needed) so that people will be more aware of the law, and can abide by it," Swing said.

Adults may still drive and talk on the phone if they use a hands-free device, but minors are prohibited from using any wireless telephone, hands-free or hand-held. Another state law which will ban sending text messages on a hand-held device will take effect Jan. 1, 2009, according to Swing.

The Gilroy Police Department did not have the most recent data available at press time, but as of Oct. 8, officers there issued the same number of tickets (67) to Gilroy drivers, according to GPD Sgt. Jim Gillio.

And the California Highway Patrol cited 150 people in Santa Clara and San Benito counties for violations of the hand-held cell phone law as of Nov. 8, according to CHP spokesman Chris Armstrong.

The vast majority of alleged offenders are adults.

Based on these numbers, the law has provided a steady stream of revenue for the state, Santa Clara County, and local police departments.

First-time offenders of the cell phone law are required to pay a $94 ticket, according to Carl Schulhof of the Santa Clara County Superior Court. While the base bail amount for the ticket is only $20, the final price tag includes a variety of state mandated penalty assessments which produce funds that are divvied up among "all kinds of revenue distribution categories," including EMS, the court, and municipal agencies, Schulhof said.

He said the formula that determines who gets what from each fine is "fairly complex," and he did not know how much of the revenue the MHPD would receive from each fine. However, he suggested the amount would be small after all the other agencies and departments have taken their cut.

With each subsequent violation of the hands-free cell phone requirement, the penalty assessments increase, and a second offense can result in a fine of more than $200, Schulhof added.

The citation is not considered a moving violation, so it does not automatically tarnish a motorist's driving record.

Specifically exempted from the law are emergency service professionals who use a cell phone while operating an emergency vehicle.


Michael Moore
Michael Moore covers county and law enforcement issues for the Morgan Hill Times. Reach him at (408) 779-4106, ext. 202, or mmoore@morganhilltimes.com.

POST A COMMENT

If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Add to Google Add to My Yahoo!  Email This Article  Print
 News: Local
Saint Louise to host seminar on affordable medication
Nov 6, 2009
 
Talented and thoughtful young man's life cut short
Nov 5, 2009
 
A centennial celebration
Nov 5, 2009
 
Unity is key for new supe
Nov 5, 2009
 
 News: Santa Clara County
South County gains permanent seat on VTA board
Nov 6, 2009
 
Updated: Frys.com Open coming to CordeValle
Nov 4, 2009
 
Coe park cuts mean dirtier bathrooms, fewer camp patrols
Oct 29, 2009
 
Hospital union approves new contract
Oct 26, 2009
 
 News: National and World
Colo. boy said to have floated off in balloon found at home
Oct 15, 2009
 
6-year-old boy floats away in balloon aircraft
Oct 15, 2009
 
Toyota recalls 3.8 million cars over acceleration safety issue
Sep 30, 2009
 
Obama, administration officials pay tribute to 9-11 victims
Sep 11, 2009
 
More Local... More Santa Clara County... More National and World...


 Obituaries

 Angie (DiManto) Schneider
6/22/1934 - 11/2/2009

 Jacqueline Hoey Walter
6/29/1934 - 10/27/2009

 Ronald Coleman Winter
2/23/1961 - 10/19/2009

 Anthony William Librers
9/13/1978 - 10/18/2009

 Cristofaro Cassara
3/10/1939 - 10/14/2009

 Mark L. Mom
6/22/1952 - 9/22/2009

 James M. Neet
10/7/1960 - 10/9/2009

 Lynn D. Boyer
7/4/1917 - 9/13/2009

 Martin (Marty) R. Hall
4/5/1942 - 10/4/2009

 Photos
News
     
Sports
     
Special Events
     
Full Pages
     
 Videos
Hope flies again
Oct 21, 2009
 
A creepy crawly afternoon
Oct 5, 2009
 
911 call of crash that spurred Toyota recall
Sep 30, 2009
 
Approaching the Pacheco Pass Fire
Aug 31, 2009
 
 Special Reports
 Most Wanted
 
More Obituaries... More Photos... More Videos...
Advertise | Contact Us | Subscriber Center | RSS Feed
Copyright © 2009 | MainStreet Media Group | All rights reserved.