By Brittany Titus
Round Table editor

Starting Oct. 1, a new law in Maryland prohibits the use of handheld cell phones while driving other than to turn the phone on or off, or to intiate or terminate a call.

Drivers may have conversations only on cell phones using hands-free devices.

The bill was signed by Maryland Gov. O’Malley on May 20 and the first offense for breaking the law is $40. Subsequent offenses are $100.

The new law is a secondary offense, meaning one must be pulled over for something else before charged with using a handheld phone while driving.

Middletown High School students are affected by this new law even though they are underage. Teens under the age of 18 are already prohibited from any cell phone use while driving.

“This new law just enforces the no cell phone use more and I think that this law will benefit the community for safer driving,” said MHS senior Shannon Buckley.

“This law will help with having fewer accidents on the streets,” said MHS junior Rachel Barton.

The only exceptions to the law are calls made to: 911, the hospital, ambulance service provider, fire department, law enforcement personnel and the first aid squad.