In The News

Texting-while-driving banned in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- It's getting pretty tough to take both hands off the wheel in the Golden State.

After passing legislation in June banning held-held cell phone use in a vehicle, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is on the verge of squashing 'texting' while driving too.

The legislation -- sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto -- is on its way to the governor to be signed into law.

Simitian was the politician who was also behind the cell phone ban.

If passed, the law would take effect Jan. 1, 2009. Violators could face fines of up to $50.

A half dozen or so states and provinces have cell phone and/or texting bans. North of the border, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Quebec crack down on talkative drivers; while Ontario is currently mulling over similar phone restrictions.