Maryland lawmakers want to enable police to pull someone over if they are talking on a handheld cell phone while driving.
The House Environmental Matters Committee was holding a hearing Tuesday that would make it a primary offense, instead of a secondary one.
That means a police officer could pull someone over after observing a driver talking on a handheld cell phone. Under current law, police can only issue a citation for talking on a cell phone while driving after another violation is observed.
The bill is being sponsored by Del. James Malone, a Baltimore County Democrat, and Del. A. Wade Kach, a Baltimore County Republican.
Now, nine states and the District of Columbia enforce the law as a primary offense.