Police Heighten Motorist

Cellphone Law Enforcement 

Town police heightened their cellphone enforcement on June 24 and 25, issuing 72 violations to motorists for using a handheld cellphone while driving.

Police did not specify which percentages of those drivers received infractions, written warnings, or verbal warnings for those violations. Infractions carry a $100 fine.

Also, on June 24 and 25, state police issued 978 citations to motorists for distracted driving, including the illegal use of handheld cellphones, according to state police spokesman Lieutenant J. Paul Vance.

Governor M. Jodi Rell has told state police to more strictly enforce the state’s distracted driving law to stem the cause of many accidents, according to Lt Vance.

In 2005, a state law took effect prohibiting motorists’ use of handheld cellphones and electronic devices while driving. The law allows drivers over 18 to use cellphones while driving, only if those cellphones are “hands free” devices. Drivers under age 18 are prohibited from using any type of cellphone.

In 2008, state police issued approximately 10,000 tickets for cellphone violations.

Police have heightened their enforcement of the cellphone law to reduce the number of accidents that occur due to distracted driving.

The enforcement project is known as “Hang Up or Pay Up.”