Hands Free Cell Phone Laws

Gabe Bodner, and excellent local lender with Lawson Associates, recently collected information on the new Wireless Phone Laws, which become effective on July 1, 2008.
There are two new laws. The first prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. Motorists 18 and over may use a hands-free device. Drivers under the age of 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone or hands-free device at all while operating a motor vehicle. The laws apply only to the driver of the vehicle, not the passengers.
The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone without hands-free capability to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agencies.
In case of a conviction, the base fine for the first offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions, however, with penalties they are quite a bit higher.
A violation is a reportable offense that appears on your driving record, however, DMV will not assign a violation point.
The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving. A bluetooth-type earpiece is allowed, but only one ear can be covered, and you may use the speaker phone function of your wireless telephone while driving.
...and don't forget, drivers under the age of 18 may not use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop or any other electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or text while driving in any manner, even hands free!