NJ Drivers Face Fines For Texting On Cell Phones

March 1, 2008 9:23 a.m. EST

Trenton, NJ (AHN) - Drivers in New Jersey can now be pulled over for talking on their cell phones or for text messaging. Starting this weekend, police in the Garden State can ticket drivers with $100 fines for either offense.

Drivers can still use their phones to contact police or emergency services and can still use hands-free devices to talk on the phone.

New Jersey is one of four states where talking on a hand-held phone while driving is against the law. It's the first state where it is primary offense, meaning it is reason enough for police to pull a driver over.

The law isn't totally new to New Jersey drivers.

Driving while holding a hand-held phone has been illegal in the state since 2004, but it was considered a secondary offense in which drivers could be ticketed for if they were pulled over for another reason.