Cell phone curb begins

Some state workers barred from using hand-held units while driving

By Michael Dresser | Baltimore Sun

Gov. Martin O'Malley signed an executive order Thursday that will impose a ban on the use of hand-held cell phones by Maryland executive branch employees while driving state-owned vehicles.

O'Malley said he was taking the action as part of a new driver safety program. Cell phone use has been identified in numerous studies as one of the leading distractions drivers face on the roads.

The governor's action follows another legislative session in which the General Assembly rejected curbing cell phone use while driving. The legislature did adopt a bill, since signed by O'Malley, banning text-messaging while driving.

"This legislative session, we passed tough new laws to improve safety on our roadways by cracking down on drunken driving, speeding and texting," O'Malley said. "Today, I want to carry that protection to our dedicated state employees by preventing a major cause of workplace injury: traffic crashes."

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The governor's order applies only to those on the state payroll who are driving a state vehicle. The order exempts hands-free cell phone use and allows hand-held cell phone use by law enforcement officers or emergency vehicle drivers.
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