Last-Minute Bills Could Change CA Driving Habits

Aug. 29 (KGO) -- Driving while talking and smoking with kids in the car  those are two habits that could soon change.

Bills aimed at legislating your vehicular behavior may soon be heading to the Governor's desk. The clock is ticking in Sacramento and lawmakers are pushing for change.

The proposal to ban the common California practice of driving with one hand and talking on the cell phone or BlackBerry with the other was recently changed.

Certain professions using walkie-talkie type cell phones like those from Nextel would now be

The amendment was clearly aimed at accommodating the bill's biggest opponent, Sprint-Nextel, but the company hasn't changed its mind.

Kathleen Dunleavy, Sprint-Nextel: "We feel as if it is singling out cell phones as a distraction and not taking into account all the other distractions that drivers encounter."

For everyone else the proposal only allows hands-free use.

If the bill ends up on the Governor's desk, he's hinted he might sign it into law.

In his webcast last month, Governor Schwarzenegger said he doesn't like his own newly-licensed daughter Katherine doing it because of the dangers.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, (R) California: "I sometimes follow her to make sure that she doesn't make that mistake"

Banning drivers from smoking with young kids in the car is also a step closer to law. It still needs to pass the Assembly.

Smokers we caught up with Tuesday said they didn't like this example of "nanny government."

JoAnna Castronovo, smoker: "There have been times where I have rolled the windows down and opened the sun roof and have a couple of puffs on my cigarette."

The American Lung Association says that doesn't help.

Paul Knepprath, American Lung Association: "They're exposed to secondhand smoke which we know causes cancer, respiratory problems, makes asthma worse. These kids are really in danger."

The Governor hasn't said how he feels about the kids in car smoking ban. But two years ago he did sign a law that bans smoking in California's prisons.

If both become law, drivers caught using a handheld cell phone will be fined $20 dollars for the first offense and $50 dollars each time after. Smoking with kids in the car is more expensive -- $100 dollars per offense.

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