New 2025 California No-Touch Phone Law: What Westminster Drivers Need to Know
Drivers in Orange County need to put the phone completely down this summer - or risk not just tickets but bigger headaches if they cause a crash.
WHAT CHANGED?
California has had a hands-free law for years but drivers kept pushing the limits. Many would hold the phone in their lap, tap the screen at stoplights or scroll maps while coasting.
Starting July 1, 2025, the law is crystal clear:
No holding, no tapping, no swiping - ever - while driving.
Even at stop signs and red lights, your hands must stay off the phone.
Only true hands-free use (voice commands or mounted, one-tap activation before you drive) is allowed.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR YOUR INJURY CLAIM
If you get rear-ended on Beach Boulevard in Westminster or sideswiped near Main Street in Garden Grove, and the other driver was touching their phone, this new law can make your case stronger. Breaking the “no-touch” rule is clear negligence - insurance companies know it.
On the flip side, if you touch your phone behind the wheel - even briefly - you could be partially at fault if something happens. Under California’s comparative fault rule, that can cut your recovery dramatically.
QUICK TIPS FOR WESTMINSTER DRIVERS
Use voice commands only. If your car or phone doesn’t have them, pull over safely.
Mount your phone properly (low on the dash or vent) but remember: you can’t touch it once driving.
Pre-set your GPS before pulling out of the driveway.
If you’re in a crash, document everything. Photos of the other driver’s phone in hand or on their lap can be key evidence.
LOCAL ROADS, LOCAL REPRESENTATION
Distracted driving has always been dangerous but this new no-touch law raises the stakes for every driver in Westminster, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Huntington Beach. If you’re hit by someone who broke this rule, you shouldn’t have to fight the insurance company alone.
At Win Nguyen Law, we help local families stand up to unsafe drivers and get the compensation they need to heal and move forward.
INJURED BY A DISTRACTED DRIVER? LET’S TALK.
Call us today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you understand your rights under California’s new hands-free law and fight for every dollar you deserve.
