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The Maryland Legislature has joined the lead of several other States, and the District of Colombia, to ban holding and talking on cell phones when driving. The bill will become law when the Governor signs it in October, and he has indicated that he will sign the bill.

Talking on a cellphone while driving will only be allowed if using a headset, except for emergency calls. Violators can be fined $40 for the first offense and up to $100 for additional violations.

Interestingly, the ban is a secondary offense. That means that law enforcement can only charge a violator if they're pulled over for another offense. That provision makes little or no sense to me.

Good idea...sure, and I'm glad it will be implemented. I see so many boneheaded moves by drivers talking on cell phones every time I'm on the road. I don't think its going to make the roads any safer though, or if it does, only marginally so. Nevertheless, its a good idea, and I applaud the Legislature for ignoring the cell phone industry lobbyists, and doing the right thing for the citizens of Maryland.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Severn MD Real Estate Specialist

I applaud the Maryland Legislature's efforts to close a loophole in the no texting while driving law. Last year, after several attempts, Maryland finally passed a law that outlaws texting while driving.

Apparantly, last year's effort only included "sending" text messages while driving, leaving out entirely the ability to "read" text messages.

Hopefully, this correction should take almost no effort on their part to correct. The banning of reading text messages while driving should be a "no brainer."

Frankly, I wouldn't be opposed if they eventually got to the point of banning any cell phone activity while driving, headset or no headset. I've seen so many near accidents and just plain dumb driving mistakes while people are talking on their cell phones.

Around this area anyway, where traffic is extremely heavy most of the time, talking on a cell phone while driving should be banned...PERIOD! But that's just my opinion.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

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