Cyclists talking or texting on their cell phones could soon face the same penalties as drivers if State Representative Joe Simitian has his way. The author of California’s hands-free law believes that cyclists “should have the same rights, laws and responsibilities” as drivers when it comes to following the rules of the road. Cyclists tend to agree. “It’s just as dangerous for a bike to run through a stop sign as it is a car,” says Sam Burton of Bike Trip. Micah Posner of the bicycle advocacy group People Power agrees, though it should be noted that he made his statement to the Sentinel via cell phone while riding his bike.
Simitian’s new rule would also increase the fines from $20 to $50 for talking on the phone while riding or driving and from $20 to $100 while texting. He has also proposed that offenders get a point on their driver’s license for each violation.
Read More at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
