Vehicles: electronic wireless communications devices: prohibitions.

(1) Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to examine applicants for specific driver's licenses and requires that the examination include, among other things, a test of the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the provisions of the Vehicle Code governing the operation of vehicles upon the highways. This bill would require the department to include a test of the applicant's understanding of the distractions and dangers of handheld cellular phone use and text messaging while operating a motor vehicle. (2) Existing law establishes that specified convictions and violations under the Vehicle Code and traffic-related incidents count as points against a driver's record for purposes of the suspension or revocation of the privilege to drive. Under existing law, it is an infraction for any person to drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, unless that telephone is designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking operation, and is used in that manner while driving, except as otherwise provided. A person under 18 years of age is prohibited from driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even if equipped with a hands-free device, or while using a mobile service device. A point is not given for a violation of these provisions. This bill would assess a violation point on a 2nd or subsequent violation of these provisions. (3) Under existing law, a person is prohibited from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication, except as specified. This bill would increase the base fines for a violation of any of the above-described prohibitions involving driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device from $20 to $30 and the fine for a 2nd or subsequent offense from $50 to $60. (4) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code proposed by AB 2188, to become operative only if AB 2188 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2013, and this bill is chaptered last. (5) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 23123.5 of the Vehicle Code proposed by AB 1536, to become operative only if AB 1536 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2013, and this bill is chaptered last.