California bans bus driver cell-phone use

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation this week that bars public transit bus drivers from using cell phones while behind the wheel.

California becomes the third state — along with Arizona and Massachusetts — to implement such a restriction. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2005.

The legislation, which also bans school bus drivers from talking on cell phones while driving, was introduced after a Riverside County school bus accident was linked to the driver being distracted by talking on a cell phone.