New York dials out hand-held cells

ALBANY, NY.Y (June 28, 2001) — Start spreading the news. New York will apparently become the first U.S. state to ban the use of hand-held cell phones in vehicles when Gov. George Pataki signs a bill approved Monday by the state Assembly.

Police will issue warnings during the first month of the ban, which is slated to go into effect Nov. 1 with fines up to $100, and drivers can get their tickets dismissed until the end of Feb. 2002 with proof of purchase on a hands-free system.

Lawmakers decided to pass the legislation after a recent independent poll found that 85 % of voters in the state favor such a ban. Outlawing cell phones has been proposed in about 40 states, but until now, Connecticut was the only state to even get a bill through one house of its legislature.

Several Canadian provinces have been courting a similar plan here, but no definite law has been established as of yet.