Pocono News Section

NY Cell Phone Ban Influences PA

NY Cell Phone Ban Influences PA - Monday, October 15, 2007 at 4:17PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo
Monday, Oct 15, 2007 @04:17pm EST
KIRKWOOD, NEW YORK- State Police at Kirkwood, New York say they've issued over 1,000 citations this year to motorists caught using their hand held cell phones while driving. The fines can reach $100.

Legislators in Pennsylvania are considering several bills to ban the use of cell phones while behind the wheel. New York's law has been on the books since November of 2001. The New York legislation does allow the use of "hands-free" phone devices and makes an exception for drivers using their hand held units for emergency calls.

An erroneous e-mail circulated in Pennsylvania recently that warned that the state had adopted a law banning cell phone use while driving and suggested that it was going into effect on November 10th. The state has not yet adopted any of the bills currently under consideration.