distracted driving | Dolan Law Firm

What is the law in California on Texting, Calling & App Use while Driving?

distracted driving car crash lawyer

Sandra from the Upper Haight asks: “Chris, can you settle a matter for me? My best friend and I share a car. She is new to the City and constantly holds her phone while driving to check directions. When she is not doing that, she uses Spotify on her phone to listen to music through the car’s speakers. I love her dearly and don’t want her to cause or be in a crash. I have told her she can’t use the phone in her hand while driving. She claims it’s only illegal to hold the phone to talk or text. Is she right?”

What Is California Law On Driving And Texting Or Using Apps?

California Law on Texting and Driving Summarized

Ashley from Rockridge asks: “Chris, last week I used the casual car pool to commute into the City. While moving slowly through the Bay Bridge maze, the driver took out his smartphone and typed in an address on a map application to get directions to a business. He then called the business holding the phone to his ear. I voiced my concern over his lack of attention to other cars in the maze. He didn’t take kindly to me expressing an opinion on the safety of his driving and claimed the law only prohibits texting while driving. Is that right?”

Dept of Transportation Summit Focuses On Reducing Distracted Driving

Government officials announced at the second summit on distracted driving held by the Department of Transportation earlier this month that surveys indicated a decline in the use of cell phones while driving, the Associated Press reported. The success is partially attributed to recent legislation enacted in several states banning texting while driving or the use of any handheld mobile device. Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation that addresses distracted driving in an attempt to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from car accidents.