NJ 4th State to Toughen Cell Phone & Driving Law

Sat Nov 3, 2007 10:57AM EDT

See Comments (11)

My state, New Jersey, this week became the latest to toughen its law against talking-and-texting while driving.  Beginning March 1, drivers who talk on handheld phones or who tap and send text messages while driving may end up paying a $100 fine.

By signing a revised law, Gov. Jon Corzine is authorizing cops to pull over motorists spotted holding and talking on a cell phone or text messaging on one. Before, drivers could be ticketed for those actions only if they were pulled over for another motor vehicle offense.

The new law makes it OK for drivers to talk on cell phones if they are using hands-free ear phones or Bluetooth headsets. The reality is, that will definitely happen. The irony is, studies have shown that drivers are distracted just as much by talking on the phone, whether they are holding it or not. It's the concentration on the conversation that can distract a driver from what is happening on the road. 

The hope, at the very least, is that this law will dissuade new teen drivers from texting while they drive. That is scary, scary behavior for new drivers on crowded roads in a state as dense as New Jersey. Motor vehicle accidents remain a top killer of teens, and the distraction of teens' ever-present cell phones cannot be helping that statistic.

New Jersey joins California, Connecticut, and New York in enacting tougher laws. But will they make a difference? Chime in. 

Related: Cell Phones and Driving Revisited 
Drivers Ignoring Cell Phone Bans
California Bans Minors Dialing and Driving

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  • 1 Posted by festivista97 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    I see police officers themselves talk and drive many times here in NJ. It'll be interesting to see whether they'll stop the practice.

  • 2 Posted by zsweet36 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    no, police officers do not stop talking on their cell phones. as a resident of NY, the law has been in effect for years now, and the policemen continue to use them. the law isnt put into effect very strictly, you dont really have to worry about it.

  • 3 Posted by hyperfamilyman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    I would not say its nothing to worry about . I am one of the few people that has paid the ticket for talking on the cell phone while driving. But I still see all kinds of cops talking on the phone. I do know the county sheriff does not allow its officers to talk on it. State troopers are huge offenders here in NY they are always on the phone.

  • 4 Posted by kdre@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wish that a nation wide law would be enacted to require hands free devices. If only 50% of the people currently not using hands free devices started to that would mean half as many more hands available to be on the direction controller for the 2500lbs to 100000lbs deaf machines they are in. BTW if you are NOT PASSING STAY OUT of the LEFT LANE.

  • 5 Posted by uncle9bob on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    California MUST have the worst offenders! I don't get it. If you drive with headphones on, it's a bust. But drive so erratically that you can be mistaken for a D.U.I., and use a cell 'phone, and it seems to be ok. I, personally, won't be happy until ALL cell phone use is illegal, with D.U.I penalties to match! Look, folks, everybody did just fine without cells in the past. There is nothing so urgent that requires you to endanger yourself, as well as other innocent people. Just TURN THEM OFF when you're driving! And as a comment to kdre@sbcglobal.net's comment about the left lane, AMEN!!!!!!

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