10/07/04-The Assembly Transportation Committee has approved a bill that would spare a court appearance for drivers in the state nabbed chatting on a hand-held cell phone while driving.
The panel voted 13-0 on Sept. 30 to send the measure to the full Assembly for consideration.
A3299, sponsored by Assemblyman John Wisniewski, D-Parlin, would allow violators to pay a fine through the mail instead of at municipal court. The fine for breaking the 3-month-old law would be set at a fixed rate of $100. Judges now can order fines of up to $250.
Currently, drivers ticketed for using a hand-held phone must show up in court even if they want to plead guilty and pay the fine.
The new law, which took effect July 1, does not allow police to stop drivers for using hand-held phones. They can only be ticketed if stopped for another reason.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.