California's Hands-Free Cell Phone Law

On July 1, California is prohibiting all cell phone use for drivers unless a hands-free device is used.

What does this mean for employers?

It means your employee handbook policy should be updated to include the following:

1) You - as an employer - are not responsible for paying violation if a ticket is received; and
2) Since you can be held liable for accidents while an employee is driving on company business, you should prohibit cell phone use unless the employee can pull off to a safe area and make or receive a call;

And remember - California is usually on the forefront of new laws that ultimately get adopted by other states. It's best if you put these policies into place now.

More tips - and an overview of the new law - from Jackson Lewis.