Who Knew a Phone App Could Prevent a Ticket, or an Accident?
Do you remember when you were 15 and received your permit to drive and you anxiously counted down the days till you were 16 and you could get your drivers license and finally be free? Times have certainly changed since then, including the laws. I believe this is the generation of the multi-taskers, which has caused a lot of unintentional hazards on the road. Cell phone use is a huge distraction for teens now days and even adults. I will admit that I do not anxiously count down the days till my children are behind the wheel, as I am sure many parents share my same feelings. However, it is important to stay up to date on current laws and various options that are out there to help prevent the misfortune that could happen. It is also vital that before your teen embarks on this journey of newfound freedom, that they have a quality CA car insurance policy.
The applications that are available on our cell phones now days are endless. Did you know that there are apps that you can put on your phone, or your teens phone, that can prevent your teen from using their cell phone while driving? In an article by msnbc titled, Apps That Prevent Your Teen From Texting While Driving, it states, “22 percent of car accidents in 2009 were caused by cell phone usage. The article went on to say, “Apps such as T-Mobile's DriveSmart Plus and Key2SafeDriving sense when you’re driving, usually by GPS measuring your speed, and disable most or all of your phone's functionality once a pre-determined speed is reached.” In addition to cell phone applications, there is also combination hardware that works in a similar way, but does not rely on any type of GPS system. There are so many different options to choose from and it is comforting to know that we are not rendered powerless when our children begin driving. The streets are crazy enough in California.
If you are not worried about your ability, or your teens ability to drive while using a cell phone you may not be too thrilled about the cost of a CA ticket. According to an article by Hands-free Info, Here are the current prohibitions in California in regards to cell phone usage:
- “Adult drivers (18 and older) banned from using cell phones unless they employ hands-free devices.
- Drivers may not use wireless devices to “to write, send, or read a text-based communication” — as in text messaging.
- Minors are prohibited from using wireless phones while driving — with or without hands-free accessories.
- School bus operators and transit bus drivers prohibited from using cell phones while driving.”
According to the article the prices for a ticket in California are, “First offense $20, other convictions, $50. With court costs and penalties, the true costs of those tickets are $76 and $190, respectively, the Los Angeles Times reports.”
Professional Choice Insurance wants to make sure you are kept up to date on California laws and the various options that are available to you in order to help keep your family safe. One of our Preferred Vendors, Pocket Finder, has a vehicle GPS system that "is a perfect solution for parents who want peace of mind." Call us today to make sure to get your teen a quality auto insurance, California policy and we would love to share more about our preferred vendor, PocketFinder. We will hand you a FREE $10 gas card for every line of insurance you request, so call us for a free CA insurance quote.
