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: June 9-10

June 9th : 2500 block of Allison Street : At about 1 pm officers took a report of a citizen robbery . The victim told the officers and PGPD robbery detectives that she arrived to meet a client when she was approached by two black males. One of the men approached her from the front; the second came up behind her and placed her in a head lock. The second man demanded the keys to her gold 2005 Honda Accord (MD tags 9FA Y36). The victim complied and the two got into her car and fled the scene. The victim described her assailants as black males about 19-20 years of age. The first man was about 5’8” tall with shoulder length dreadlocks and was wearing a white t-shirt, long jean shorts, white socks and tennis shoes. The second man was about 5’10” tall, also had shoulder length dreadlocks and was wearing a white navy hat. The officers also discovered a white 2004 Chevrolet Express van that is believed to have been driven to the scene by the two suspects. A check of the vehicle’s registration...

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 13-14

August 13th : 34th Street & Rhode Island Avenue : At about 8:30 am officers responded to a two-vehicle motor vehicle collision. Their investigation revealed that both vehicles were traveling north on Rhode Island Avenue and tried to enter the traffic circle at the same time resulting in the collision. One driver complained of back injuries and was taken by fire/rescue personnel to Prince George’s Hospital Center for treatment. 4200 block of Kaywood Drive : At about 4:30 pm officers took a report of lost license plates. The owner of a 2002 Toyota Celica told the officers that he shipped his vehicle to California and when the vehicle arrived at its destination the tags were missing. 3400 block of Eastern Avenue : At about 7 pm officers responded for the report of an assault. The victim told the officers that he was jumped by a group of males who struck him about his body causing abrasions to his chest and neck. After the assault they fled in an unknown direction. The victim was not a...

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