The Change Mariner

D.C. Bans Hand-Held Cell Phones in Cars

Yahoo! News:

It won't be a capital offense in this capital city, but motorists caught driving while juggling their cell phones could end up with a ticket and a $100 fine starting in July.

The District of Columbia City Council gave final approval Tuesday to a bill banning drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel. They would have to use a handsfree device, although exemptions would be made for emergency situations.

"We've all seen a lot of near misses as people are chatting away on their phones," said Councilwoman Carol Schwartz, one of the bill's co-sponsors. "We're a very densely populated city and we need to protect our pedestrians, whether they be our residents or our visitors.