State says cell phone ban nets thousands
| 22 Feb 2012 | 08:04
New Jersey transportation officials say a year-old state law banning cell phone use while driving has resulted in nearly 109,000 summonses issued in the past 11 months. That’s almost double the amount of tickets handed out during the previous five years for the offense. A state law signed on March 1 last year makes talking on hand-held cell phones while driving a primary offense. That means police are now able to stop motorists just for talking on the phone. Division of Highway Safety director Pam Fischer says the primary law is making a difference, resulting in about 10,000 tickets a month. New Jersey is among four states and the District of Columbia that have made using a cell phone while driving a primary offense.