Maryland Cell Phone Ban Passes: Will Reduce Risk of an Auto Accident Injury in Maryland

Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to sign a Maryland cell phone ban passed last week by the state legislature, making it a crime to talk on hand held cell phones while driving. The legislation is another step forward in making our roads safer and reducing the number of automobile accidents in Maryland.

Once this new law is enacted, Maryland will join several other states that have put restrictions on the use of cell phones and other mobile communication devices while driving.

The law passed the House of Delegates 125-14 on Friday, and Governor O’Malley has already said he would sign the bill, according to a story in the Baltimore Sun.

The law makes it a secondary offense to use a hand-held cell phone while in control of a motor vehicle for any reason, including taking pictures or video, as well as making or receiving calls. A secondary offense means that police can pull a driver over only if they see them committing another offense, such as speeding.

Drivers would be fined $40 for a first offense, and $100 for any later offenses. Drivers are still able to use headsets, Bluetooth technology and other hands-free devices. It is also not illegal to use the devices when the car is not in motion, such as at a traffic light.

The new law follows an October 1 law passed in Maryland that made the state the 10th in the nation to outlaw sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle. Maryland is the seventh state to make it illegal to use hand units altogether. However, other states, including California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington, have made it a primary offense; meaning that drivers in those state can be pulled over and fined solely for talking on their cell phone.

Last year a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that drivers of light vehicles and cars were at 2.8 times greater risk of crashing while dialing a cell phone than a non-distracted driver, and 1.3 times more likely to have an auto accident while talking on the cell phone. Truck drivers were at much greater risk of an accident, with six times the likelihood of crashing while dialing a cell phone, and 6.7 times more likely to crash while using or reaching for an electronic device of any kind.