CALIFORNIAN's just do not get caught.......

[momrek06]

talking on your cell phone without a hands-free device!!!!!!!!!!!!




$20 for a CITATION? HA!!!!!!!

By JIM RADCLIFFE
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER


Q. I got cited for using a cell phone without a hands-free device. I was told by the officer that the ticket was only $20, and the DMV site also says $20 (but that other fees may be included). My other fees were $80 or so. I agree with the law, but that seems excessive. Where do the other fees go?
J. D., Cypress, CA.



A. That $20 figure is as misleading as a sub-prime lender.

All traffic citations carry other monetary burdens besides the fine itself. Voters, state lawmakers and county supervisors can add assessments to a fine to raise funds or cover costs for various governmental programs.

Carole Levitzky, a spokeswoman for Orange County Superior Court, provided the O.C.R. with the breakdown of actual costs for a citation for driving and talking on a cell phone that is not hands-free:

•Base Fine: $20

•State Penalty Assessment: $14

•County Penalty Assessment: $20

•DNA Penalty Assessment: $4

•Court Construction: $3

•State Surcharge: $4

•Emergency Medical Services Penalty Assessment: $4

•Night Court: $1

•Court Security: $20

In all, $90.00.

 

[Lib E]

I think it's good. I would have no problem if the amount were higher.

 

[C.Ann]

That's too low.. Should be much, much higher.. And if they cause an accident while doing so they should also add on some jail time..

Ask anyone who has become disabled because someone plowed into them while talking on a cell phone if $90 is "unreasonable"..

 

[momrek06]

Although I totally agreed with both of you......finding out you are really paying $90.00 or more I find is wild. Living out here and very new to the area (as MA has not passed hands free as of yet) it really is all the talk of this new law with a $20.00 citation that went into effect 07/01....but wow, will those getting cited ever be shocked!!!

 

[Charade]

Ouch.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I was surprised to see that so many people continue to talk on their phones while driving. I'm glad that it's more than $20

 

[Lib E]

I was surprised to see that so many people continue to talk on their phones while driving. I'm glad that it's more than $20

Me too. I still see it all the time. I haven't noticed a decrease. Especially commuting on the 5.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

They really messed up with that new law. They should have included "text messaging". Do you know how many people I see texting while driving???

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Yeah, I got hit with that $90!!!!

 

[yeartolate]

I have had two different cars totaled by cell phone users.

The first one was pure and simple cell phone distraction.

The second was a combination of speed and cell phone.

I say make the sucker a felony, screw the fine.


(The first one if my son had been with me he would probably have died)

On the bright side, Both "accidents" allowed me to have kickbutt WDW vacations.

 

[minniecarousel]

I used to sit at the red light that leads into my neighborhood and count the drivers on cell phones leaving the area across the street (they were turning left to go where I just came from). Not as many to count these days. I'm amazed that I still see drivers on cells, but at least it's fewer than it used to be.

I agree, that "20 dollar" fine is misleading.

 

[Piecey]

Isn't every ticket like that?

When i got my speeding ticket the "fine" was $12.50.... but after the court costs and everything, I paid $183.50.

Ouchies.

 

[C.Ann]

Isn't every ticket like that?

When i got my speeding ticket the "fine" was $12.50.... but after the court costs and everything, I paid $183.50.

Ouchies.

--------------

Yup - pretty much.. And if a person is breaking the law, so what if the disclosure of what the fine will be is "misleading"? If they weren't breaking the law, they wouldn't have anything to worry about..

 

[Piecey]

--------------

Yup - pretty much.. And if a person is breaking the law, so what if the disclosure of what the fine will be is "misleading"? If they weren't breaking the law, they wouldn't have anything to worry about..

I wasn't saying I had a problem with it, I'm just trying to figure out why everyone is so shocked this ticket is just like every other ticket out there?

 

[Gina]

It ALL needs to be illegal, with way higher fines than are already there. And studies have proven that a hands-free device actually causes no reduction in accidents -- because the driver is just as distracted by the conversation itself.

 

[TwinsinCA]

I wasn't saying I had a problem with it, I'm just trying to figure out why everyone is so shocked this ticket is just like every other ticket out there?

Because maybe they don't get tickets and honestly don't know. :Knocking on wood: I have not had a speeding ticket in 22 years. I had no idea tickets worked this way. I don't remember any series of fees on my ticket, just a total and that was it.

I simply don't use my cell phone that often in general, much less when I am driving, so I don't really care what the fine is. But I do think they should be honest about it so people can make informed decisions. And maybe knowing how high the fine is would be a better deterrent than what is currently in place. I see people on the phone -- still -- ALL the time out here.

 

[John VN]

$100.00 fine + $100.00 stupid tax and then the fees.

 

[momrek06]

They really messed up with that new law. They should have included "text messaging". Do you know how many people I see texting while driving???

California Follows Hands-Free Phone Law with Ban on Text Messaging
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation banning drivers from sending, writing or reading messages on handheld devices starting January 1, 2009. This follows a law that took effect in the car-crazy Golden State on July 1, 2008 of this year that outlaws using a handheld phone while driving.



They really messed up .........let me tell you many states do not have EITHER law like my great State of MAss confusion which I just left after 20 years!!!!

 

[momrek06]

I was surprised to see that so many people continue to talk on their phones while driving. I'm glad that it's more than $20

Me too. I still see it all the time. I haven't noticed a decrease. Especially commuting on the 5.

I think we still all see it out here in CA because everyone THINKS all they will need to pay is the $20.00 fine! JMHO!

 

[grumpy donald]

I think it would benefit them to publicize it. The goal is to discourage cell phone use,not make money.

They also need to crack down on people eating and driving. Last I saw that was even more dangerous.