Mainers Are Still Using Hand-Held Devices While Driving
It seems that drivers in Maine didn't get the memo on one of the new driving laws in the state.
On September 19th a new law went into effect that prohibits the use of hand-held devices while operating a motor vehicle. But police officers say they have written 232 tickets in the last month since the law was put in place. There is an $85 fine for first time offenders.
The Associated Press reports Officers are allowed to issue a ticket if they see a phone in the hand of a motorist. And according to the numbers Maine drivers are still using their phones while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers are permitted to use hands-free calling systems or aftermarket Bluetooth devices to make and receive calls, or using the device's GPS the article reports.
Legislative analysts predicted that in the first full fiscal year that ends June 30, 2021, police could write 5,500 citations, or about 458 tickets per month.