New law bans CA drivers from holding cell phones while on the road

It may not be their New Year’s resolution, but this year millions of drivers will have to give up being on their phone while behind the wheel.

“I think it’s good because there are a lot of accidents,” said Esther Jimenez of Monterey.

In 2016, drivers weren’t allowed to talk or text, but could access music, navigation and other apps on their phone. This freedom left a lot of wiggle room when it came to officers giving tickets.

“In the past, there could be excuses for using the phone based on one of those applications,” said Monterey Police Department Sergeant Jeremiah Ruttschow.

The Monterey Police Department said now there are no more excuses. Anyone caught with a phone in hand while driving will face a $20 dollar fine and then, $50 dollars for additional offenses.

“I think it’s a good,” said Mary Solseng of Del Rey Oaks. “I think that we should not be using our cell phones when we’re driving.”

The law requires drivers to mount their device to their windshield, dashboard or center console.

“If the phone is mounted like it should be now with the new law, and not in the hands, than the idea is people would be more focused on the roadway.”

Whether drivers will follow the new rules or not remains to be seen.

“I don’t think so,” said Jimenez. “But we’ll see if it improves.”

Drivers are able to tap or swipe their phones just as long as they’re mounted and not in their hand.