DE begins cell phone ban on New Year’s

Starting New Year’s Day, drivers in Delaware will have to keep the cell phones off their ears while driving in two cities, or risk paying a fine.

Starting New Year’s Day, drivers in Delaware will have to keep the cell phones off their ears while driving in two cities, or risk paying a fine.

Listen:
[audio: 091230sacellban.mp3]

Since November 1st, police officers in Elsmere, Delaware have issued nearly 200 warnings for drivers who use their cell phone without being “hands free”. Two months of warnings will turn into real citations with a $50 fine starting with the new year. Elsmere Councilman Steven Burg proposed the ordinance, after a close call during a summer walk- when he says a driver nearly ran a red light.

Burg: Elsmere is the first small town in Delaware to enforce such an ordinance. Wilmington becomes the first major city to do the same when it’s similar ordinance goes into effect, also starting New Year’s Day.

In both cities the violation will be treated as a primary offense, meaning police officers don’t need any other reason to pull you over.