Maryland Cell Phone Ban Set to Go Into Effect

By Elliott Francis

Maryland’s upcoming ban on driving while using a hand held cell phone allows the use of a hands-free listening device instead.

If you don’t have one and get caught, make sure you have it before going to court.

Some area stores report the stock of Bluetooth earpieces and other hands free items have been stripped bare, in anticipation the law, which starts Friday.

So it’s altogether possible someone will get a ticket, before they’ve had a chance to get a headset.

Cpl. Dan Friz with Montgomery County Police says if this happens, the courts are prepared to make some considerations if the violator demonstrates responsibility by purchasing the device before their court date.

"If a motorist gets a traffic citation for it -- if they come to court, and they bring the hands-free device with them, the court may wave the fine I’ll be up to each individual judge, but they can wave it," Friz says.

The law allows you to pull off the road and stop to use your cell. Violations carry a $40 fine for the first ticket, $100 for the second.