Kansas State University

As of Jan. 1, fines are now being given to Manhattan violators who break the new city law that took effect July 1, 2010, banning cellphone use while driving and holding a cellphone within city limits. The law allows hands-free use of cellphones, which includes a mobile phone headset (for example, a Bluetooth wireless headset or a wired headset), a car kit, or other phone extension that keeps the driver’s hands free.

Relatedly, the new statewide law of “no text messaging while driving” in Kansas also took effect Jan. 1. Continue reading “Driving fines started Jan. 1 in Manhattan for cellphones; in Kansas for texting while driving” →

Q. Is Manhattan implementing a new law that bans cellphone use while driving?

Yes and no. Manhattan has a new law that takes effect July 1 that bans cellphone use while driving and holding the cellphone. It allows hands-free use of cellphones, which means using a mobile phone headset (for example, a Bluetooth wireless headset or a wired headset), a car kit, or other phone extension that keeps the driver’s hands free.

According to the Manhattan Mercury’s June 17 article, violators will receive warnings until Jan. 1, 2011, when fines will start being given. KTKA.com 49 News reported June 22 that Manhattan City Commissioners made the change to be consistent with the state’s new text-messaging ban (see next question below).

Continue reading “Q/A: New cellphone, texting laws that impact Manhattan” →