Vehicles: wireless telephones.

Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving. Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device unless the telephone or device is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation, and is used in that manner while driving. Existing law makes a violation of these prohibitions an infraction punishable by a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. Existing law, except as specified, generally makes a violation of any provision of the Vehicle Code an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $100, a fine not exceeding $200 for a second infraction, and a fine not exceeding $250 for a third or subsequent infraction, as specified. This bill would delete the $20 fine for a first offense and $50 fine for a subsequent offense structure for a violation of the above-described prohibitions, and would therefore make a violation of those provisions subject to the general fine structure for violations of any provision in the Vehicle Code.