New Texting and Cell Phone Laws

Maryland’s Texting While Driving Law took effect on October 1^st. The new law prohibits all drivers in Maryland from using a text message device to write, send, or read a text message while operating a motor vehicle in the traveled portion of the roadway. This includes times where the driver is stopped at a traffic signal.

A text messaging device means a hand-held device used to send a text message or an electronic message via a short message service. This includes Twitter.

Maryland’s Texting While Driving Law is a primary offense law and a misdemeanor crime. A first offense carries a fine of $70 and a second offense fine is $110. The law does not apply to texting to 9-1-1 or using a global positioning system (GPS).

Maryland’s Cell Phone Law prohibits all drivers in Maryland from using a hand-held cell phone while operating a motor vehicle on a street or highway. Drivers under the age of 18 are already prohibited from using cell phones at all while driving.

This law is a secondary offense, meaning a driver must first be detained for another offense, such as speeding or negligent driving before he or she can be ticketed for a cell phone offense.

The fine for a first offense is $40 and subsequent offenses are $100. Points are not assessed to the first-time violator’s driving record, except three points are assessed if the violation contributes to a crash.

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Police Report: May 8-11

Friday May 8th : 3400 block of 11 Newton Street : At about 2 pm officers responded for the report of a woman who had been assaulted by her boyfriend. The boyfriend allegedly punched the woman in the mouth and choked her. She told the officers that she did not want any police assistance and refused to tell the officers what had occurred. She was referred to the District Court Commissioner if she decided to press charges at a later time. Saturday May 9th : Nothing significant to report. Sunday May 10th : 4500 block of Eastern Avenue (BP station) : At about 11 am officers responded for the report of a stolen auto. The officers met with the victim/owner who told them that he left the keys to his 2002 Lincoln on the front seat when he went inside to pay for gas. When he came out of the store he saw his Lincoln being driven up Eastern Avenue towards Rhode Island Avenue by a black male (no further description). A check of the area for the stolen car proved negative and a lookout for it was gi...

Police Report: August 19-25

August 25 th : 3300 block of Chauncey Place : Vehicle impound – 12:45pm. Officers patrolling with a mobile license plate reader received a notification that the tags on a Mazda were suspended. However, the tags were displayed on a 2003 Dodge Durango. The Dodge was unregistered so it was impounded and the tags were seized for return to MVA. 4000 block of 34 th Street : Trespassing – 2:05pm. Officers responded for the report of a disorderly subject at ZZ Pizza. When the officers arrived they detained the highly intoxicated subject and learned that he had entered the restaurant and demanded food. They also learned that the owners had previously banned him from the restaurant. He was arrested, charged with trespassing and delivered to the custody of DOC in Upper Marlboro. 3200 block of Queenstown Drive : Traffic/vehicle impound – 9:50pm. Officers stopped a 1999 Honda Accord for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver did not have a driver...

Police Report: October 8-10

October 8th : 4600 block of 29th Street : At about 3 pm officers took a report of a citizen armed robbery . The victim told the officers that he was approached by two men wearing ski masks. One of the men pointed a handgun at him and robbed him of his cell phone and cash. The two suspects got into a black SUV and fled the area. The victim was not able to provide a description of the suspects or a more detailed description of the SUV. PGPD detectives responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation. 2900 block of Arundel Road : At about 9:45 pm officers investigated a residential burglary . The victim/resident told the officers that she left her apartment at about 4 pm. At about 9:45 pm a downstairs neighbor discovered that the victim’s door had been pried open and called police. The victim reported numerous pieces of jewelry, two computers, two iPhones, and a home theater system missing from the apartment. No further evidence or witnesses were located. October 9th : 4...

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