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Md. cell phone law marks first six months [Cumberland Times-News, Md.](Cumberland Times-News (MD) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 02--CUMBERLAND -- Friday marked six months since Maryland's cell phone law went into effect, prohibiting drivers from using a cell phone without a hands-free device. The fine for a first-time offender is $40 and subsequent offenses carry a $100 fine and one point. Some police officers are observing fewer drivers on cell phones while others note an apparent increase of violators in the aftermath of the new law. "It used to be two out of five drivers had cell phones in their ears," said Frostburg Police Chief Royce Douty. "Since the new law, we see a lot fewer drivers using cell phones, a lot less. The new law had really cut back on use of cell phones. "I also see people pulling off to the side of the road when using cell phones. That's putting safety first and shows people are trying to abide by the law," said Douty. The new law is a secondary offense, meaning that a driver must first be committing a primary offense such as speeding or reckless driving before he can be ticketed for a cell phone offense. Maryland drivers are being put on notice: Put cell phones down. Enforcement agencies around Maryland are stepping up enforcement to prevent the consequences of distracted driving crashes, including needless injuries and deaths. "It takes just one moment of distraction to cause a serious crash," Col. Terrence Sheridan, superintendent of the Maryland State Police, said. "Keeping Maryland motorists safe is why we continue to remind them of the dangers of distracted driving and why we actively enforce the cell phone law." In Cumberland, there seems to be an increase of motorists using cell phones. Cumberland Police Chief Charles Hinnant said, "Cumberland Police officers noted a significant decrease in the number of individuals violating the cell phone law after this law was enacted. Unfortunately, as time goes on our officers are seeing more and more drivers using their cell phones while driving." Studies repeatedly show that people are limited in the amount of information they can process at any given time. Trying to use a cell phone -- for conversation or texting -- forces a driver's attention away from driving. Studies indicate that mobile phone conversations distract drivers and delay reaction time, which can cause and increase the severity of vehicular crashes. The National Safety Council estimates that cell phone use is responsible for 1.6 million crashes a year, nationally -- about 28 percent of all crashes. In 2009, those distracted moments accounted for 30,152 injuries in Maryland. In Frostburg, city police have not yet issued any citations for violation of the cell phone law. However, Douty emphasized drivers' need to seriously consider the risk they take when using cell phones and driving. "It's unsafe to use your cell phone while you are driving. In Frostburg, there is a lot of stop-and-go traffic. You don't have your mind on your driving if you are using your cell phone at the same time," he said. Maryland State Highway Administrator and Governor's Highway Safety Representative Neil Pedersen said, "Dialing, texting and talking on the cell phone takes your attention away from driving. If you take your eyes off the road for just one second while traveling 65 mph, you will travel 100 feet, which could place you in a dangerous situation possibly harming yourself, as well the others with whom you share the road -- pedestrians, bicyclists, construction workers." A separate Maryland law prohibits the use of text messaging devices to write or send text messages while driving except for use of a global positioning system or texting emergency services (911, etc.). Bills have been filed in the Maryland General Assembly during the current session both to make the cell phone infraction a primary offense and to ban drivers from reading text messages. To see more of the Cumberland Times News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.times-news.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, Cumberland Times-News, Md. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |