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New hands-free cell phone law
takes effect July 1
New laws dealing
with the use of cell phones while driving take effect July 1, 2008. The details
of the laws are outlined below.
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All drivers will be
prohibited from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor
vehicle.
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Motorists 18 and
over may use the speaker phone function or a hands-free device, although both
ears may not be covered.
Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a wireless telephone or hands-free
device while operating a motor vehicle, even if the hands-free device is
built-in to the car.
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The law allows a
driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement
agency, a medical provider, the fire department or other emergency services
agencies.
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The first offense
will result in a $20 fine, and subsequent offenses will each result in $50
fines. With the addition of penalty assessments, the first offense is $76 and
subsequent offenses are $190 each.
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The conviction will
appear on the driving record, but a violation point will not be added.
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Out-of-state
drivers whose home states do not have such laws will be subject to citation.
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A law enforcement
officer can pull over an adult or a minor just for using a handheld wireless
telephone. For drivers under the age of 18, using a hands-free device is
considered a secondary violation, and may only be cited if the minor is pulled
over for another violation.
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