10/07/04-A bill before the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee would spare a court appearance for drivers in the state nabbed chatting on a hand-held cell phone while driving.
S1893, sponsored by Sen. Robert Martin, R-Morris Plains, would allow violators to pay a fine through the mail instead of at municipal court. The fine for breaking the three-month-old law would be set at a fixed rate of $50; 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.
A similar bill, A3299, is before the full Assembly.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.