House toughens ban on dialing and driving
Maryland's House of Delegates this morning signaled that they would like to beef-up the state's new ban talking on a cell phone.
With a vote of 91 to 40, the chamber approved a bill that would make talking on a cell phone a primary offense, meaning police officers could pullover any motorists chatting on their phone. Currently they can only issue a citation if motorists are simultaneously violating another rule.
Driving and talking using a hands-free devices would still be allowed. The penalties are unchanged: $40 for the first offense and $100 for the second.
But the bill has a rough road in the Senate, said Judicial Proceeding Committee Chairman Brian Frosh. He's not sure the measure could be passed in his committee.
The original ban on dialing and driving squeaked through the Senate 24 to 23 last year after a lengthy debate and the law went into effect five months ago.
Both chambers recently approved a ban on reading texts while driving. That measure closed a loophole left two years ago when they outlawed writing electronic messages. Motorists can still use GPS programs on their phones.
Comments
We all knew this was going to happen. But if the legislature was going to do it this quickly why did they even bother to make it a secondary offense in the first place?
Posted by: brstevens | March 10, 2011 5:10 PM
I drove home from work this evening past so many drivers that didn't have their headlights on even though their wipers were operating. ONE OF THESE CARS WAS A BALTIMORE COUNTY POLICE VEHICLE! They don't enforce this law because they don't want to get out of their cruisers and get wet. They won't enforce this law unless it is convenient for them. How much revenue do they ignore? Parking in fire lanes, handicapped spaces and those listed above. They could use this money FOR THE CHILDREN.
Posted by: BMAC1206 | March 10, 2011 5:52 PM
Fundamentally, the creeping incrementalism of these laws only continue the ongoing process to convert our law enforcement departments into full revenue-collection agencies.
The chances that police officers will actually enforce these laws are about as likely as O'Guvnah O'Malley ceasing his immoral raids on the transportation fund to pay for his budget excesses.
This conduct by our General Assembly is inconceivably immoral.
Posted by: Gunpowder Chronicle | March 10, 2011 7:41 PM
Good for House, and I hope the Senate passes the law as a primary offense, too. Too many drivers become too unaware and dangerous when driving and talking on their cell phones. Moreover, every safety agency and insurance company I've read about say accident statistics bear this out.
Posted by: Fred | March 11, 2011 11:16 AM
This bill is not about talking, texting, or reading cell phone messages. This bill is about our fundamental right to be free from illegal search and seizures. The right to be free from unnecessary police intrusion. Some of the police will offend traditional notions of fair play by profiling those they want to stop. Its easy to say "I thought you were on your phone", now let me see your drivers license since I stopped you!! Wake up people!!
Posted by: Brent Barbour | March 15, 2011 8:43 AM