Many people would probably admit that the distraction of taking a cell phone call or the reading and sending of text messages when driving represents a significant danger to both the driver and fellow road users. While as a driver in CA you could have a hands-free system installed in your car to stay within the law and to help reduce the risk, there are exceptions to this rule. These are important to note and could save you from the need to make a claim on your California auto insurance policy.
In California teenagers under the age of 18 are not permitted to use hands-free devices in motor vehicles. The only exception to this is emergency calls to fire, police or medical authorities. Those parents who have children under 18 should explain this fully before the young person drives the car. This law also applies to Bluetooth earpieces, laptops, pagers and other hand held devices. Encourage your under 18 year-old to turn his/her cell phone off altogether before getting into the car then there can be no temptation. If your child needs to use the phone, advise him or her to pull over safely, turn the car off and then make the call.
Cell phone usage while driving is both distracting and dangerous and could be a very expensive mistake for drivers if they get caught. The worst case scenario may be that a tragic road accident occurs. As a driver even though you might have appropriate California auto insurance, it makes far better sense to avoid the his distracting practice of cell phone use and help reduce your risk of a crash in the first place.
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