2010 Update - Governor Signs Hand Held Cell Phone Ban into Law
May 20th, 2010
Maryland Senate Bill 321 has been signed into law by Governor O'Malley.
The new law will prohibit all Maryland drivers from using a Cell Phone without a Hands Free Device while operating a motor vehicle.
In addition the new law would prohibit "a holder of a learner's instructional permit or provisional driver's license who is 18 years of age or older from driving a motor vehicle while using a handheld telephone".
The fine for a first offense would be $40 and subsequent offenses would be $100.
The new law would be a secondary offense, meaning that a driver must first be committing a primary offense such as speeding or reckless driving before they could be ticketed for a Cell Phone offense.
The new law is scheduled to go into effect in October, 2010.
To read the bill please go to the State of Maryland Website and Read Senate Bill 321