The Chapel Hill Town Council has banned the use of cell phones behind the wheel, including the use of hands-free mobile devices by drivers. The ban, which is the first of its kind in North Carolina, is scheduled to go into effect June 1. The new ordinance makes cellphone use behind the wheel a secondary offense, meaning an officer must first stop a vehicle for another reason before issuing a citation for violating the ban. North Carolina state law prohibits drivers age 18 and under from using cellphones and also makes texting while driving illegal when a car is in motion. Ten states and the District of Columbia have bans on using hand-held cellphones while driving.
by Adam Owens
WRAL NEWS, 3/26/12
