Cell Phone Ban In Maryland Takes Effect Friday

WASHINGTON - Come Friday, driving and talking on a cell phone in Maryland could get you a ticket, but only if you're doing something else wrong.

The law, which was passed in April, requires drivers to use a hands-free device. It's a secondary offense, meaning you can only get a ticket for using your cell phone if you've already been pulled over for another violation.

The District and seven other states have similar bans, but Maryland is the only jurisdiction where it is a secondary offense.

The fine is $40 for a first offense, and $100 for a second offense.

The state already has a ban on texting while driving. Both the District and Virginia also have general bans on texting while driving, but only school bus drivers and drivers under 18 are not allowed to talk on the phone while driving in Virginia.

www.wtop.com

FREE Phones At T-Mobile On Saturday

On Saturday, June 19, every phone in every T-Mobile store is free. This is a first-of-its-kind promotion, which includes even the most recently released phones such as the myTouch 3G Slide and the Garminfone.

To take advantage of the offer you must switch to any family plan, or add a new line to an existing family plan. Each contract comes with a two-year agreement, of course.

Other bargain and tech bloggers have suggested that the Nexus One may not be a part of this deal. T-Mobile's press contact confirms that it is a part of this sale. No phones are excluded

.

Some phone tips you might be able to use..........

The Daily Press mobile manager Amber Nettles had this to say about the sale:

If you can get a Nexus One for free with a contract, do it. The phone features a 1 GHz Qualcomm processor, 5MP camera with autofocus, LED flash and 2X digital zoom, and a 3.7-inch touch screen. From personal experience (I own a G1 and my friends own other T-Mobile phones), the Nexus One is the best phone available through T-Mobile, at this time.

Former Blackberry users (or just those accustomed to having physical keyboard) might want to try out the new MyTouch 3G Slide: a mid-range Android-based phone with a full QWERTY keyboard. The latest MyTouch iteration includes a physical keyboard, 3.4-inch touchscreen and a 5MP camera with autofocus and flash.

A new offer recently revealed is the Garminfone, another Android-powered device, which combines the Garmin navigation system with the functionality of a smartphone. Specifications (which couldn't be found on the T-Mobile site, but were listed on Garmin's) include an impressive memory (4GB Flash), a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen and a 3MP autofocus camera.

Non-Android fans should try the powerful HTC HD2, a Windows mobile phone, or the BlackBerry Bold 9700.

The HD2 features a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5MP camera with autofocus and an LED flash, a 4.3-inch capacitative touchscreen and the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system.

The Blackberry Bold 9700 features a 3.2MP camera, a 2.44-inch screen, an optical trackpad, physical keyboard and the beloved Blackberry operating system.

Finally, there's a slim chance T-Mobile's Galaxy S will make it to stores in time for Saturday. The phone, which just passed through the FCC (as reported by androidcommunity.com), should have the following: 720p video recording, a 1GHz processor and a 5MP camera. The big draw, however, is the rumored Atmel maXTouch screen, which is said to be 2-3 times faster than current multi-touch displays (by having a response time of 7 milliseconds). I doubt T-Mobile would unveil that phone on Saturday, but keep an eye out for it in the future.

www.dailypress.com

Ban On Cell Phones While Driving? Really?

It's not unusual to see people talking on their cell phones while driving these days. And it's hard to remember when there wasn't a time when we could simply go through the day without those annoying rings. Cell phone usuage has gotten so huge that many businesses and doctor offices have requested that they be turned off. However, some can't seem to be without the thing jammed up to their ear. I wonder how they ever made it through the day before the cell.

The Senate has passed a bill banning talking on a cell phone unless you have a hands free device.

Unlike the texting ban, this ban is very enforceable.

State Senator Tommy Norment, who represents the Peninsula, wants to make it a primary offense to drive and talk - unless you're using a bluetooth or hands free device.

If this bill becomes a law, anyone caught talking on their cell phone while driving would be fined and given points on their driving record. If passed, it would go into effect starting July 1.

The bill has passed its first hurdle with a 25-15 victory in the State Senate and now it heads to the House before its final stop on Governor Bob McDonnell's desk.

If the bill clears by this summer police won't need any other reason to pull you over.

And if passed, fines would go up to $50 and $200 starting July 1, 2011.

The ban would not apply to those driving emergency response vehicles, drivers who are stopped or parked, or anyone using a phone to report an emergency.

This could be such a waste of time. Other states have tried to enforce a law like this and people still talk without using a hands free device. I almost t-boned a woman the other day as she was making an illegal u-turn, running her mouth on her cell and carrying an elderly passenger with her. She never lost the conversation and looked at me as if it were my fault and I know the elderly gentleman messed his pants. The government shouldn't need to enforce laws upon us because WE ALL need to be MORE responsible and stop thinking we are the only ones on the road. I value my life too much.

What is it about our lives today that some can't wait until they get to their destination to make a call?