Governor to decide bill to raise cell phone fines

A bill that would significantly increase fines for motorists who talk on cell phones or text while driving is headed to Gov. Jerry Brown's (D-CA) desk after receiving final approval from the state legislature.

The bill, SB 28, also prohibits bicyclists from texting or talking on a phone, though the fines are lower for bikers than drivers. Fines for talking without a hands-free device or texting while driving would increase to $50 for the first offense and $100 for subsequent offenses. Combined with other penalties and assessments, the total penalty would be about $328 for the first offense and $528 for additional violations. The penalty for bicyclists would be $20 for first-time offenders and $50 for repeat offenders. There would be no additional costs.