The Ocean City Police Department is reminding citizens who operate a motor vehicle of the revised Maryland distracted driving law regarding texting
which took effect October 1, 2011. Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed the legislation, which now prohibits the “reading” of text messages while driving, as well as texting while at stoplights.
The law, which prohibits all drivers in Maryland from using an electronic device to write, send or read a text message while operating a motor vehicle in the travel lanes of the roadway, is a primary offense. The law however does not apply to texting 9-1-1 or usinga global position system.
The Maryland Texting While Driving Law is a misdemeanor crime and the first offense carries a fine of $70, while a second offense fine is $110.
The US Department of Transportation reports that an estimated 800,000 vehicles nationally were driven by someone who used a hand-held cell phone during their drive last year. However, according to Gov. O’Malley, Maryland saw a 9% decrease in traffic deaths in 2010. The record low
number reduced from 550 people lost in 2009, to 496 fatalities in 2010.
What if one is entering an address into the map function on a smartphone, changing songs on an iphone or checking the weather while at a stoplight? How does an officer know which you are doing that are legal under this law because you are not texting or reading a text? The cop pulles you over and now has reason to search you and your vehicle with a K9. Regardless of whether you are a law abiding person or scum, this is unreasonable search and seizure. This law is just another way of making money and destroying the constitution.
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