I didn't know about New Jersey's Law on Cell Phones until Today?

[Whoson1st]

Putting this one in the good old Rubber Room.
In the Offshore Forum today is a posting about smoking while driving in NJ. The last sentence says that this state allready has a law against using a cell phone while driving. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA OF THIS. That's obviously not a "law" here in Virginia...at least I don't think it is or if so it's not enforced at all.
My question is does NJ enforce that cell phone law or is it another one of those laws like the speed limit, that's RARELY enforced anywhere unless "excessive" speed.

Are there any signs on New Jersey roads informing drivers (out of state) not to use cell phones while driving?

Do other states besides NJ have a no-cell phone while driving law???
Guess--I'm pretty ignorant (if so). What's that they say---Ignorance of the law is no excuse!! Pretty scary stuff.

 

[donho]

It is against the law in Virginia to use a cell phone while driving (unless you're using handsfree) My girlfriend got pulled over for it, but the cop just gave her a warning. I usually try to hide mine when I see the heat coming.


<!--StartFragment -->Bill Number: SB 87
<!--StartFragment -->Prohibits the use of hand-held mobile telephones while driving a motor vehicle. Exceptions for emergency personnel and emergency situations.

<!--StartFragment -->Introduced by Sen. Henry Marsh (D) on<!--StartFragment --> January 9, 2002.

 

[Whoson1st]

Thanks....I had no idea it was a law here in Va. There are no signs. They didn't send out anything with liscense plate renewals, etc...
I take mine ...but use it only for an emergency....Guess I better get the ear piece.

Do MOST states have this law??

 

[Whoson1st]

It is against the law in Virginia to use a cell phone while driving (unless you're using handsfree) My girlfriend got pulled over for it, but the cop just gave her a warning. I usually try to hide mine when I see the heat coming.


<!--StartFragment -->Bill Number: SB 87
<!--StartFragment -->Prohibits the use of hand-held mobile telephones while driving a motor vehicle. Exceptions for emergency personnel and emergency situations.

<!--StartFragment -->Introduced by Sen. Henry Marsh (D) on<!--StartFragment --> January 9, 2002.

I wonder if my doctor's office calling ME on it to change my appt date...would be considered an emergency. They called me...not the other way around.

 

[donho]

From what I can gather, it looks like only 17 states have laws against it. But what's scary is there are many local counties, cities, towns that have laws against it. I agree there should be signs specifically stating whether or not it's illegal where you are driving. How else are you supposed to know? Although I don't think it's a law that many police really enforce strictly. Unless you are weaving all over the place or cut somebody off while talking on the cell, then I can see the reason why they would give you a ticket.

 

[Doug]

Thanks....I had no idea it was a law here in Va. There are no signs. They didn't send out anything with liscense plate renewals, etc...
I take mine ...but use it only for an emergency....Guess I better get the ear piece.

Do MOST states have this law??

I don't like that radar detector law in Va.

 

[Dude]

New York has had it for about 2 years now.. And Ct. Just passed it.. Effective in Oct.

 

[juice]

Wow, I live in VA too and I had no idea about that law.
I knew using the cell phone was against the law in DC... in VA everyone uses their cell in the car.

 

[Whoson1st]

Wow, I live in VA too and I had no idea about that law.
I knew using the cell phone was against the law in DC... in VA everyone uses their cell in the car.

Either the majority of Virginians don't know it's against the law or they ignore it. I went for my nightly walk about 7PM and I walk a sidewalk along a busy (fast moving street) . No less than 5 cars withing 45 minutes were talking on cell-phones.

How in the hell do we get laws and the public at large--knows nOTHING about it. I know why....so lawyers can make money!!!

 

[coconutman]

The law was passed in Chicago not to long ago... it's a $25 fine.

 

[Highdaddy]

every state will have it soon enough....cant let other states make all that extra money from those tickets.

 

[Whoson1st]

I hate to beat a "dead horse". But what REALLY GETS my blood BOILING about this law (which the general public does not know about) is not JUST a small fine, but the INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS. I pay good rates because for one thing, have a clean and safe driving record. Now were I too get one of these tickets, my INSURACE rate would likely RISE!!

If I got a ticket for speeding or an obvious violation....that's one thing. But---where is the OUTRAGE...when people are not told!!!

 

[Arodd]

Basically this law, banning cell phone use in vehicles unless it's hand free, should only apply to women. who's with me?
haha

honestly though i get very very nervous when i see a female driver talking on a cell phone, fooling with radio dial at the same time, etc.

 

[juice]

Apparently in Virginia ( I think MD & DC too), you can get the ticket thrown out in court if you can prove you bought a hands free kit after the ticket. Something like 70% of the tickets they write get thrown out.

dseth- I still think at least 70% of the people on the road should not be allowed to drive at all, regardless if they use a cell or not.
The best is when you get someone reading and driving or doing their makeup.

 

[oldirtyku]

Fawk the Commonwealth of VA. Fawking laws are to strict... I hate coming into that state on a daily basis.

 

[SonnyPalermo]

It's simple math - when faced with the increase in traffic accidents, and seeing the # that occurred while 1 or more drivers were on their cell phones (especially ones that resulted in fatalities), the law changed to try and protect citizens. Yes, it can increase revenue to states IF it is enforced but for drivers it can help keep insurance rates down (though NJ for years has had the highest auto insurance rates in the country, as well as being #2 to NY's #1 for traffic fines levied). Not to mention save lives.
Yes, most people blow it off so far. But once hit with the $100 fine you find one less driver driving and yakking - to avoid the 2nd offense $500 fine.
But if you're in NJ the cell law and no-smokes law shouldn't concern you because you have less of a chance to get one than citizens of other states - for something like 20 years straight now you have been #1 in cancer rate.