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Feb. 17, 2011
by Holly Nunn
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland legislators are looking to close gaping loopholes and ease enforcement of laws prohibiting cell phone use behind the wheel.
Bills heard Tuesday in House and Senate committees would amend laws that took effect last October, which banned hand-held cell phone use while the vehicle is in motion. Under the new rules, cell phone use would be illegal any time the car is in the travel portion of the road, including when stopped at a stop light or in traffic.
One bill, sponsored by Delegate James Malone Jr., D-Baltimore County, would make cell-phone use without a hands-free headset a primary offense, which means law enforcement could pull drivers over when they are observed using a handheld device.
As the law is now, drivers have to commit another violation, like speeding or running a stop sign, while talking on a cell phone to be given a ticket for the secondary offense.
