Teenage drivers in California will soon have to text "g2g" to their friends as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger passed a new law yesterday prohibiting all individuals under 18 from using a cell phone while driving. The law takes effect July 1st of next year and the fine will be $20 for the first offense and $50 afterwards; however, talking while driving still is not a primary offense, so police will not be able to pull teens over simply for talking on their cellphones.
"The simple fact is that teenage drivers are more easily distracted. They are young, inexperienced and have a slower reaction time," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "We want to eliminate any extra distractions so they can focus on paying attention to the road and being good drivers." Coincidentally enough, the governor"s eldest daughter recently turned 16 and has begun driving herself, probably giving Schwarzenegger some first hand experience into the matter.