You call it nanny law,  I call it common sense good law. 

Been hit by a driver reading a text,  let me know if you want to see the video.   Been hit as a pedestrian in a crosswalk by a driver on her cell phone too. Big payday on that one. 

Put down your PTT mics,  put both hands on the steering wheel,  and pay attention to driving. 

Your example is poor.   All you have to do is stop you car to use your radio. Why does your car have to be moving to dispatch emergency services? 

Jerry KD6WKY

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE device

------ Original message------
From: Verne Terwilliger
Date: Thu, Feb 23, 2017 11:33
To: jerryolive@comcast.net;
Cc: Robert Hess via Mldxcc;El Dorado County Amateur Radio Club;
Subject:Re: [Mldxcc] Fw: Calif. AB1785 (Mobile Radio Usage While Driving)

Well, it's a good thing it wasn't in place during the King Fire in El Dorado County when we needed to dispatch truck/trailers to evacuate large animals.  Kept our pilot cars and truck/trailers safe behind the fire line.

There is such a thing as common sense and we don't need another "nanny" law.

Verne, K6DN

On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 11:27 AM, jerryolive@comcast.net <jerryolive@comcast.net> wrote:
This is a good law. Put down your PTT mics,  put both hands on the steering wheel,  and pay attention. 

Jerry KD6WKY

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE device

------ Original message------
From: Robert Hess via Mldxcc
Date: Thu, Feb 23, 2017 11:11
To: El Dorado County Amateur Radio Club;MLDXCC Lode;
Cc:
Subject:[Mldxcc] Fw: Calif. AB1785 (Mobile Radio Usage While Driving)

 



To:  All Amateur Radio Clubs - ARRL Sacramento Valley Section
 
From:  Norm Lucas (WB6RVR)
 
I am communicating with you in this fashion to advise you of a new law that was passed and implemented by the California State Legislature that, effective January 1, 2017, makes it illegal to use any sort of mobile device while driving, unless it is "blue toothed" enabled, and was installed as part of the vehicles equipment as it left the factory.  This would include amateur and commercial mobile radio operations.  The simple use of picking up and keying a push to talk microphone while driving would now be considered a violation of this new law.
 
I am referring to Calif. Assembly Bill 1785, the full text of which appears below.  When it was initially drafted, this bill pertained only to cell phone usage.  During its journey through the legislative process, it went through a number of rewrites and amendments, such that we are now saddled with a new law that prohibits all mobile operations (amateur and commercial) while driving.
 
The first violation/citation carries with it a $20.00 fine.  The second violation would be $50.00.  At this time, it is unknown if the receipt of any citation for violation of this new law would affect your drivers license record, or insurance rates.  An amateur radio operator using his mobile radio in Palo Alto, has already received a citation for violating this law.
 
Initial contacts will several Chiefs of Police in various jurisdictions though out California have given us feedback that is all over the map, ranging from "we are going to enforce it," to "we won't bother."  The CHP position on this is to apparently enforce the law at the officer's discretion.
 
We have been in contact with the ARRL, and it is unknown at this time if they will lend their support, or take a leading role to amend this law. At this point, "finger pointing"  or any laying blame is pointless and will not serve to get this law amended.  To be clear and as of now, the ARRL is not in any way sanctioning or participating in this effort.
 
 A small group of amateurs (myself included), have taken up the task to at least try and do something. 
 
Please go to the following link and sign the "on line" petition, which will formally record you as being in support of amending this law. 
 
https://www.change.org/p/california-state-house-qualify-or-repeal-ab-1785-re-immersive-v-passive-devices?recruiter=1701 8523&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive
 
If you are personally acquainted with someone that owns and operates a tow truck company, cab company, utility company, etc.,  please share this communication with them, as this law directly affects them, too.  Otherwise, it would be appreciated if you shared this with your membership and ask them to give it the widest circulation possible.
 
Again, the full text of the new law is attached below.
 
If you have any questions, please contact me.
 
73,
 
Norm Lucas (WB6RVR)
27 Casey Court
Sacramento, CA  95838
 
////
 
BILL NUMBER: AB 1785   CHAPTERED
        BILL TEXT
 
        CHAPTER  660
        FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 26, 2016
        APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 26, 2016
        PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 17, 2016
        PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 23, 2016
        AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 3, 2016
        AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 30, 2016
        AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 27, 2016
        AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 5, 2016
        AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 28, 2016
 
INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Quirk
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Frazier)
 
                        FEBRUARY 4, 2016
 
   An act to repeal and add Section 23123.5 of the Vehicle Code,
relating to vehicles.
 
 
        LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
 
 
   AB 1785, Quirk. Vehicles: use of wireless electronic devices.
   Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while
using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send,
or read a text-based communication, as defined, unless the electronic
wireless communications device is specifically designed and
configured, and is used, to allow voice-operated and hands-free
operation, as specified. A violation of these provisions is an
infraction.
   This bill would instead prohibit a person from driving a motor
vehicle while holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or
a wireless electronic communication device, as defined. The bill
would authorize a driver to operate a handheld wireless telephone or
a wireless electronic communications device in a manner requiring the
use of the driver's hand only under specified conditions. By
changing the definition of a crime, the bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
 
 
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
  SECTION 1.  Section 23123.5 of the Vehicle Code is repealed.
  SEC. 2.  Section 23123.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
   23123.5.  (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while
holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or an electronic
wireless communications device unless the wireless telephone or
electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed
and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation, and
it is used in that manner while driving.
   (b) This section shall not apply to manufacturer-installed systems
that are embedded in the vehicle.
   (c) A handheld wireless telephone or electronic wireless
communications device may be operated in a manner requiring the use
of the driver's hand while the driver is operating the vehicle only
if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
   (1) The handheld wireless telephone or electronic wireless
communications device is mounted on a vehicle's windshield in the
same manner a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) is mounted
pursuant to paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 26708 or is
mounted on or affixed to a vehicle's dashboard or center console in a
manner that does not hinder the driver's view of the road.
   (2) The driver's hand is used to activate or deactivate a feature
or function of the handheld wireless telephone or wireless
communications device with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the
driver's finger.
   (d) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a
base fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense and fifty
dollars ($50) for each subsequent offense.
   (e) This section does not apply to an emergency services
professional using an electronic wireless communications device while
operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section
165, in the course and scope of his or her duties.
   (f) For the purposes of this section, "electronic wireless
communications device" includes, but is not limited to, a broadband
personal communication device, a specialized mobile radio device, a
handheld device or laptop computer with mobile data access, a pager,
or a two-way messaging device.
  SEC. 3.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.
              




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