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In July of 2008 the new cell phone laws in California came into effect. These laws have specific outlines for two different age ranges; those who are under 18 years of age and those who are 18 years or older. The difference in the laws has to do with the actual use of a cell phone in the vehicle in any way. According to the California commercial driver handbooks, this new law prohibits minors from using a cell phone in their car even with a hands free device an this includes any texting, pager use, or other forms of technology. This law also carries with it the risk of a fine of $20 for a first time offender and $50 for a second time offender.

This law was sparked by the ever growing trend of cell phone use in the United States as well as the high rate of teenage deaths caused by reckless driving and car accidents and it is a prevention attempt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 35% of the leading causes of teen deaths is that of motor vehicle accidents and most of the accidents can be attributed to reckless or careless driving as well as distracted driving involving the use of cell phones and other devices. Another NHTSA survey found that in 2006 alone a teenager died in an auto accident on an average of once per hour during the weekend and once every two hours during the work week.

These new laws are in place for the safety of those teens who are operating any motor vehicle, and those who will be passengers in those vehicles. The use of cell phones in a car is dangerous to all involved. There is a popular internet commercial which encourages those who are passengers in a car that is being driven by a reckless driver to speak up about the driving and the dangers and to "be the spokesman" for safety. Safety is the issue here, and many lives have been lost as the result of a youth who has broken the law by speeding or using their cell phone while driving.

The only two exceptions in this new California legislation concerning the use of cell phone by minors while driving is in the case of an emergency and / or while driving on private property. But how many teens in Burbank, California have broken this law already? If you have been injured in an auto accident as the result of a negligent teen driver you have claims for a California lawsuit.

If you or your loved one has been the victim of serious injuries from a car accident caused by a teenage driver illegally using their cell phone in or around Burbank, Glendale, and / or Pasadena you should contact one of our Burbank Car Accident Lawyers for a free case evaluation today.

On Friday, March 27, 2009 the Pasadena Police Department (PPD) organized a mandatory DUI check point in hopes of decreasing the amount of car collisions, hit and run auto accidents, and / or pedestrian fatalities caused by drunk drivers in Pasadena, and the surrounding cities. The check point was conducted between the evening hours (8 PM) into the early morning (3 AM); the ideal times to catch those who are driving under the influence of alcohol.

The program has been funded by the California Office of Traffic and Safety (COTS) in relation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This program should show to be an aid in car accident prevention in Pasadena. The Pasadena police have a desire and a goal to help prevent deaths related to that of negligent, reckless, or drunk driving which may injury Pasadena residents.  The funding received for projects such as the DUI Check Point in Pasadena also go toward informing the public of the risks of driving while drunk, like dangers to the individual driver who is drunk as well as other drivers on the road and the community as a whole.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study conducted for 2007 showed that 12,998 people were killed as the result of alcohol related car accidents. According to further research, this number reflects an average of one fatality every 40 minutes caused by someone driving under the influence of alcohol. These statistics are alarming, and make the case for the need of D.U.I. check point centers in Pasadena as well as in Burbank and Glendale, and all of California.

If you have ever been involved in an alcohol related motor vehicle accident or a loved one of yours has been the victim of a wrongful death as the result of a reckless drunk driver in Pasadena, Burbank, or Glendale you should contact one of our Pasadena Motor Vehicle Attorneys for a confidential, free consultation today! Make your case known and join with the Pasadena Police Department as well as the NHTSA in the public awareness and prevention of drunk driving in California.