Congratulations California!

A hearty congrats to the state legislature of CA for passing one of the most moronic laws of all time! Some FAQs from DMV's website (including link).

DRIVERS 18 AND OVER
Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a "hands-free" device to talk on their wireless telephone while driving. The following FAQs apply to those motorists 18 and over.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A: The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.

Q: Will it be legal to use a Bluetooth or other earpiece?
A: Yes, however you cannot have BOTH ears covered.

Q: Does the new "hands-free" law allow you to use the speaker phone function of your wireless telephone while driving?
A: Yes.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law allow drivers 18 and over to text message while driving?
A: The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Sending text messages while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/index.htm

So to recap... A person cannot be talking on a handheld cell phone while driving (when one is most likely looking at the road), but CAN dial the phone (when one is most likely looking at the phone, not the road) AND CAN text message (when one is CERTAINLY looking at the phone)!

Am I the only one to see the humor in this? Am I the only one to see a total lack of common sense in this absurd law?

Don't get me wrong, I don't nessarily disagree with the law, but I do think that it is a little bit backwards. Would it not make more sense to outlaw talking, texting and dialing? Especially considering that the latter two are much more distracting than actually talking on the phone.

Now, the part of the law that I do agree with... Minors under the age of 18 (currently the definition of a minor, I know) are prohibitted from using the cell phone in any capacity, hands free or not, while driving. Good! I think that new drivers are distractable enough when they first get their licenses and need to gain some experience driving before attempting to drive while distracted.

I have always been a good driver and this law, of course, would not have pertained to me!