If using a cell phone while driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving, why aren't the penalties the same? Distracted driving laws are a scam.

"Scam" -- you're right that the laws are out of line on this. To answer your question, it's partly because of lobbying and other legislative distortions from both the telecoms and transportation industries.

Moreover, hands-free is equally bad, contrary to the distinction implied by the quoted police officer. It's the distraction more than the manipulation that's the issue, as research shows. Either way is equally dangerous. See Web Link for citations of some research into the matter.

If you read the above article that lists university studies, the studies show cell phones more dangerous than being "drunk". When you look further the studies show based upon accidents in the study and braking onset time the "drunk" drivers performed better than the non-drunk drivers.

The media and government love to find single issues and point fingers. If we are trying to save lives we also need to look at road designs, car designs, young drivers, old drivers, overcrowded roads, aggressive drivers, etc.

Huh? I thought the law says the fine is $20 for a first offense, $50 thereafter, and expires on July 1 of this year.

---------------------------
23123. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a
wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and
configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in
that manner while driving.
(b) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a
base fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense and fifty
dollars ($50) for each subsequent offense.
. . .
(h) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2008, and shall
remain in effect only until July 1, 2011, and, as of July 1, 2011,
is repealed.

The much more sensible law should be a hefty fine for the act of driving stupid.
It could encompass eating or drinking while driving, shaving, putting on makeup, brushing ones hair or teeth, wearing a hoody, wearing earphones, smoking, using a computer, reading, pet in lap, significant other in lap, not-so-significant other in lap, etc.

"James", read the article again. The Sheriff's Lieutenant, not police officer, was quoted as saying, "distracted driving is a serious safety concern.....". Distracted driving includes handsfree driving, and like Bob said, any acts that distract a driver from doing what they're supposed to be doing, which is....driving. It's too bad drivers can't be cited for simply doing anything that causes them to be distracted from the multitasking already involved in driving.