Cell Phone Penalties May Spike

Sacramento, CA — The penalties for talking on a cell phone/texting while driving may go up.

The California Senate yesterday approved a bill that would increase the fines substantially. Once all fees are calculated, the first offense would be $328. The current cost with all fees calculated is $208. Under the new legislation, a repeat offender would be forced to pay $528.

A second bill passed the Senate that would also make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while riding on a bicycle.

Both bills must also pass in the Assembly in order to become law.