Newsletter
FEDERAL BAN PROPOSED: NO CELL PHONES OR TEXTING Dec 13, 2011
An article appeared on cnn.com today largely as follows: Washington (CNN) -- Federal accident investigators Tuesday called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving. A recent study by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows that half of young people text while driving. The recommendation is the most far-reaching yet by the NTSB, which in the past 10 years has increasingly sought to limit the use of portable electronic devices. It has recommended such bans for novice drivers, school bus drivers and commercial truckers. The new recommendation, if adopted by states, would ban non-emergency phone calls and texting by operators of every vehicle on the road. It would not apply to hand-free devices or to passengers.
2011 Texting Law In Effect 9-28-11 Sep 27, 2011
A law setting minimum $100 fines for texting while driving is among the scores of new laws taking effect on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, which marks 90 days after the close of the 2011 regular legislative session.
After a vague 2-year-old “distracted driving” law failed to do its job, lawmakers aimed directly at texting behind the wheel, putting Maine alongside the 33 other states that ban it.
Troopers will be on the lookout for violations, said state police Col. Robert Williams, which he says are easy to spot.
