SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California drivers would face tougher consequences for chatting and texting on their cellphones while driving under a bill that passed the California Assembly.
Lawmakers voted 66-10 Thursday to approve AB1646 by Democratic Assemblyman Jim Frazier of Oakley.
The bill more than doubles the base fees for a first violation, from $20 to $50, and boosts the fine to $100 for subsequent violations. With additional penalties, the actual fines can be more than triple those amounts.
Under Frazier’s bill, a second ticket would also come with a one-point penalty on the driver’s license, which could lead to suspensions.
The bill also requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to test would-be drivers for their knowledge of the dangers of distracted driving on driver’s license exams.
The bill heads to the Senate.
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