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2009 Update - New Text Messaging LawsMaryland's House Bill 72 and Senate Bill 98 prohibits an individual from writing or sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle or in the travel portion of the roadway. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor of the new text messaging law you will receive a fine of up to $500. The new laws does not apply to emergency situations (Texting 9-1-1) or global positioning systems. To read the details of the new law please go to Maryland's House Bill 72 and Senate Bill 98. The Maryland Cell Phone Law For MinorsMaryland has a cell-phone law that was first enacted in May of 2005. The cell-phone legislation know as Senate Bill 50, prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a cell-phone while operating a motor vehicle. This includes drivers with a permit and drivers using a provisional drivers license. There are no allowances for hands-free devices under the bill. This cell-phone law is only enforceable as a secondary offense. This means the driver must be pulled over for another primary violation such as speeding or running a red light to be ticketed for the cell-phone violation. Like many cell-phone laws across the United States, there are exceptions for emergency situations. Currently in the Maryland legislature there is an active bill called Senate Bill 30. If passed this bill will establish the offense of distracted driving and would prohibit drivers with a learners permit, a provisional drivers license, or a driver of specified school vehicle from using a wireless communication device. There is also an allowance for drivers of a motor vehicle to use a hands-free device only to initiate, terminate or turn mobile telephone communication on or off. The bill has not yet been enacted and may be carried on to the 2008 session.
More Information Maryland's Cell Phone Law
Here is the State of Maryland's government website that has similar information regarding the current cell-phone driving law. State Website- Information on Maryland's Cell-Phone Driving Law Other Maryland Information on This WebsiteTeen Driving Laws, Licensing and Insurance Requirements in Maryland Drunk Driving Laws, Penalties & Fines in the State of Maryland
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