ESL Intermediate Low at Pacoima Skills Center

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Cell Phones and Driving: New Laws in California!

Do you know about the two new laws that deal with the use of wireless telephones (cell phones) that will go into effect July 1, 2008? It's important to know the new laws, especially if you have teenagers under the age of 18 who drive. The California Highway Patrol has information about the new laws at http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/media/cell_phone_faq.pdf Read the information about the two new laws and decide if the statements are TRUE or FALSE. If they are TRUE, write TRUE. If they are FALSE, explain WHY they are FALSE.

1) No one can use any wireless telephone or cell phone in a car anymore.

2) Drivers who are 18 years old or older can use a wireless telephone or cell phone while they are driving if they use a "hands-free" device.

3) Drivers who are younger than 18 are prohibited from using a wireless telephone even if they use a "hands-free" device or speaker phone except in the case of an emergency.

4) A law enforcement officer can pull you over if he or she sees you using a handheld wireless phone (no "hands-free" device).

5) A driver can use a handheld wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.

6) The total amount that you will pay for your first offense is $20.

7) A driver who is 18 years old or over can dial their handheld wireless phone while driving, as long as they don't talk on it.

8) The new law prohibits (makes it illegal) for drivers who are 18 years old and over to "text message" while driving.

9) You can drive and use a "hands-free" wireless phone if you wear a headset or earpiece that covers both your ears so you can hear well.

10)Older drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes than teen drivers because they can't see as well and they have slower reaction times.