Brown Vetoes Fine Increases For Talking, Texting While Driving
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Gov. Jerry Brown says using a telephone while driving is a bad thing but fines are high enough already.
The governor's office announced Wednesday that he vetoed SB28, a bill that would have increased the fines for drivers who make a call while holding the phone or send a text message.
The bill by Sen. Joe Simitian, a Palo Alto Democrat, would have boosted the base fine from $20 to $50, and $100 and a point against the driver's license for repeat offenders. With court fees, the total penalty would have been $300 for a first offense and $528 for a repeat violation.
Brown says in his veto message that for people of ordinary means, the current fines and penalties are sufficient.
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