I can tell you as a mother of 4 kids the kids in the backseat are far more distracting than a cell phone is. If CA wants to outlaw distractions in the car, it should be kids.
Moreover, now when the cell rings (usually my husband saying “come pick up this kid or that kid at this location; the plans changed”), I’m far more distracted trying to get the hands-free, speakerphone stuff going—or trying to quickly pull over in heavy traffic and answer it—than I was before this law, when I could just quickly and smoothly answer without looking at the phone.
I’d say. . .unintended consequences strike again, from my perspective.
I have a cell phone for only one reason, I’m on 24 hour emergency call. I will answer it while driving! Conversations usually last only a few seconds.