Cell Phone Law Email Is False

Home · News · Weather · Sports · Politics · Blogs · Web Cams · Sunrise · Lottery · Scam Alert · Entertainment · ECU Sports · Station/Bios

Contact Us · E-News · Where Are They Now? · Entertainment · Money · Health · Crime Stoppers · Just Ask Mike · Blogs · First Alert · witn2go

	Carolina Camera Upload your favorite photos and videos.

	WITN2go WITN News, Weather, Sports and more on your mobile phone – Anytime. Anywhere.

	Watch 24//7 Weather Need the local weather right now? Click here and watch!

	First Alert Instant weather and breaking news on your desktop!

	Carolina Scanner News from around the state. All on one convenient page.

UPDATED: New Details In Deadly Camp Lejeune Pit Bull Attack
174 Comments

UPDATED: 93-Year-Old Pitt Co. Woman Admits Having Cocaine
70 Comments

Arrest Made In Apartment Secret Peeping Case
58 Comments

Kinston Considering Banning Pit Bulls
34 Comments

Update: Bertie County Tornado Damage
29 Comments

Clinton: Bush Comments "Offensive And Outrageous"
21 Comments

Costs pinch food stamp recipients
This is what the soaring cost of food looks like at street level: Poor people whose food stamps don't buy as much as they once did rushing into a store in the dead of night on the first day of the month.
Winemaking patriarch Mondavi dies
Robert Mondavi, who helped an iconic Northern California industry blossom by insisting that Napa Valley wines can compete with the world's best, died in the valley Friday at 94.
Obama: McCain foreign policy 'naive'
Barack Obama has called President Bush's comments on appeasement "exactly the kind of appalling attack that's divided our country and alienates us from the rest of the world."

Cell Phone Law Email Is False

Save

Posted: 7:43 AM Apr 24, 2008
Last Updated: 7:43 AM Apr 24, 2008
Reporter: Heather King

14 comments

A | A | A

A viewer forwarded an email to WITN Wednesday that she said was circulating around her system. The email's title is "Wireless Telephone North Carolina Laws FAQs." It goes on to explain changes in to North Carolina law that prohibit drivers from talking on a cell phone while driving, unless they use a hands-free device. The email is quite detailed about the new law, including penalties for breaking it.

WITN checked with the North Carolina General Assembly's website and found no such law is scheduled to take effect. We also did a quick internet search of "(VC) 23123)." That is one of the terms in the email that refers to the new "law." The search results took us directly to California's Department of Motor Vehicles website.

There are currently laws in North Carolina prohibiting cell phone use for some drivers. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a cell phone behind the wheel, with the exception to call their parents or law enforcement. Bus Drivers are also not permitted to speak on cell phones while driving.

del.icio.us

Google

Yahoo

digg

More Stories
Syringe Reuse Linked To Hepatitis C Outbreak

Ailing Fugitive Heading Back To Maryland

Memorial Dedicated To Honor Students Killed In Beach House Fire

Morehead City In Water Boat Show

Rally For End Of Grade Testing

Pit Bull Owners Defend Breed Following Fatal Attack

ECU Students Robbed Heading Home

Family, Community React To Falkland Store Shooting

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Gail Location: Vass, NC on May 14, 2008 at 08:25 AM
I think, as with any convenience tool we own, we should use it responsibly.....if it is an emergency call it is nice to have the cell phone. If it is a long call why not just pull over? I have seen more dangerous drivers with a Big Mac and a beverage in their hands while at the wheel......what was that person thinking??? Just use common sense and don't abuse what can be a very useful tool.

Posted by: Sutton Location: Kinston on May 7, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Shame it's false!!! Driving while talking on the phone is impaired driving.

Slight Edit

Posted by: David Location: Manteo on Apr 30, 2008 at 04:39 PM
I also talk on my cell phone while driving. Most of the time is when someone calls me. And if I know its going to be an extended conversation, I will either pull over or just pull into the right lane and allow the faster traffic to pass without hesitation. I stay the correct speed though. That texting stuff is difficult enough sitting in my living room, never mind attempting it behind the wheel. LOL. I dont know how anyone can attempt to text and drive at the same time. But,I have seen women putting on makeup and fixing their hair while driving. Tourists taking pictures with cameras while driving. I saw one person changing clothes on the main highway going through Dare County while driving. And the subject of cellphones seems to make the cut as the topic? I agree that allot of people take advantage of doing things behind the wheel of their vehicle that should've been done before ever getting into the car. But, if we are going to talk about one, we should talk about them all..

Posted by: Jane Location: Mocksville on Apr 28, 2008 at 08:48 PM
You can not tell me that it is safe to drive and manipulate a hand held phone at the same time. My husband is on the highways everyday. Numerous of times he tells me of the people that cut him off doing 75-80 mph to get around him them brakes to slow down to dail or textmessage on their phones. Several with near misses. Only today did he see a lady trying to manipulate her phone caused a driver behind her to flip his truck 4 time. Know one can convince me that it is safe to drive while talking on a hand held phone. It will never pass in the legislation because all of them use theirs while driving. I think phones of anytype should be outlawed in use while driving no matter how experenced of a driver you are. We lived without them before.

Posted by: Mike Location: Statesville, NC on Apr 28, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Take a look at Senate Bill 1399 http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2007&BillID=S1399 It appears it was Adopted in the Senate on 05/23/2007. However, I see nothing of the kind Adopted in the House. Then on 05/24/2007 it states "Withdrawn From Cal" as a Senate Action. Not sure what all this means but just thought you might want to take a look...As I am sure you'll understand it better then I.

Posted by: Erin Location: Craven county on Apr 26, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Ok is this law true or not I just got an e-mail about. If so someone should get their ticket book ready.

Posted by: Pat Location: concord, NC on Apr 25, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Please advise me by email, As of July 1, 2008 is it it TRUE that NC is hand free cell phoning while driving in the car. If caught you will be fined?? Thank You

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sorry we can't respond to individual e-mails. As this story says...there is no law (or one that has been passed) that bans cell phone use while driving in North Carolina.

Posted by: J Location: NC on Apr 24, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Not all people are irresponsible when talking on the phone while driving. I talk on the phone when driving but very rarely, only if it is an important call or I need to make one. But I do not avoid giving turn signals and things like that. And if I go to a place where there is heavy traffic I don't talk on the cell phone unless I'm parked somewhere. I think the law not allowing teens under 18 to talk on the phone while driving is good b/c they are more inexperienced drivers and it will definitely take their attention off of driving. And to the comment below, how did you pass the car 5 times?

Posted by: Drew Location: Greenville on Apr 24, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Talking on the phone while driving is bad enough, but when someone is trying to make a hairpin turn in an 18-wheeler with one hand while on the phone, that should be a misdemenor. This state needs to start being progressive with some of their laws.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 24, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Studies have shown that even talking on a hands free device takes away attention from where it needs to be.

Posted by: Tiffany Location: Wilmington on Apr 24, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Copy/paste this government website, regarding the NC wireless phone act: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1399v0.html It is Chapter 20 of the NC General Statutes. Thoughts???

EDITOR'S NOTE: This was a proposed bill. It did not become law.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 24, 2008 at 11:58 AM
you passed the same car 5 times in two hours??? were you on the phone???

Posted by: Russ Location: Washington on Apr 24, 2008 at 08:32 AM
While the email isn't factual, the fact that we need a law to do just as the email describes. Why, look at drivers using a cell phone. If the have it in their left hand, you will not see a turn signal is most cases. They are not paying attention to what is around them. They have a tendancy to hit their brakes for nothing. Most are rude if they are at a light. Since it takes most of them extra time to determine if the light is indeed green, this means the car 4 cars back will have to wait for the next light. God forbid you have to share the interstate with some of them. Having passed the same car, while operating my set cruise control, passing them 5 times in two hours, tells me they have no idea as to what is going on around them. Pull over to a safe spot, talk all you want, pull back when it is safe. I do practice what I preach and will call someone back after I park it. This is the considerate thing to do. Think about it.

Posted by: sophie Location: chowan county on Apr 24, 2008 at 08:31 AM
It should be illegal to talk on cell phones while driving unless using a hands free device.

witntv.com's Most Viewed
1.	UPDATED: Economic Stimulus Check Schedule
2.	UPDATED: New Details In Deadly Camp Lejeune Pit Bull Attack
3.	Check Here Each Day To See What Gas Prices Are Doing
4.	Cell Phone Law Email Is False
5.	Grocery Store Owner Shot In Falkland
6.	Lawyer & Husband Charged With Trafficking Pot
7.	Stay-At-Home Moms Become "Naptime Activists"
8.	Mother And Son Face Drug Charges
9.	Family Boards Plane, Leaves Toddler Alone In Airport
10.	UPDATED: 93-Year-Old Pitt Co. Woman Admits Having Cocaine

Likely Republican Presidential nominee John McCain said Americans have reason to doubt likely Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama's Foreign Policy. Do You Agree?

	Yes
	No

	CarSoup Search inventory from local dealers and private sellers.

	Rental Guide Video tours to help you find your next apartment.

	Double Dollar Deals Save 50% from local merchants.

	Sylvan Problem Solver Video tips from Sylvan Learning Center.

	Classifieds THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free.

	Experts Got a question? Ask Eastern Carolina's Experts.

	Local Lookup Find local businesses online.

	Business Break Two minutes of info from local businesses.

	Lawyers On Call Free legal information on a variety of topics.

	Video Home Tours Tour Eastern Carolina homes from your computer.