Drivers in New York state with a penchant for chatting on their mobile phones will need to use a hands-free device to continue by next Friday. On March 1, state troopers, sheriff's deputies and police will begin enforcing New York's ban on driving and talking. The only exception is using a hands-free device, and the punishment for getting busted for talking and driving without one is $100.

Starting in November, drivers pulled over for talking on mobile phones received warnings and waivers to get citizens used to the new law that the state legislature approved and Gov. George Pataki signed last June. Several other states have attempted to pass a similar ban, but the measures were pigeonholed along various points in the approval process. In 2000, Verizon Wireless broke from the carrier ranks to stand behind proposals that included a hands-free exception.

Previous Stories:
Rhode Island Next To Restrict Driving While Wireless 6/29/01
N.Y. Ratifies Driving & Talking Ban 6/29/01