Some state workers barred from using hand-held units while driving<\/p>\n
By Michael Dresser | Baltimore Sun<\/p>\n
Gov. Martin O’Malley signed an executive order Thursday that will impose a ban on the use of hand-held cell phones by Maryland executive branch employees while driving state-owned vehicles.<\/p>\n
O’Malley said he was taking the action as part of a new driver safety program. Cell phone use has been identified in numerous studies as one of the leading distractions drivers face on the roads.<\/p>\n
The governor’s action follows another legislative session in which the General Assembly rejected curbing cell phone use while driving. The legislature did adopt a bill, since signed by O’Malley, banning text-messaging while driving.<\/p>\n
"This legislative session, we passed tough new laws to improve safety on our roadways by cracking down on drunken driving, speeding and texting," O’Malley said. "Today, I want to carry that protection to our dedicated state employees by preventing a major cause of workplace injury: traffic crashes."<\/p>\n
Some state workers barred from using hand-held units while driving By Michael Dresser | Baltimore Sun Gov. Martin O’Malley signed an executive order Thursday that will impose a ban on the use of hand-held cell phones by Maryland executive branch employees while driving state-owned vehicles. O’Malley said he was taking the action as part of … <\/p>\n
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\nThe governor’s order applies only to those on the state payroll who are driving a state vehicle. The order exempts hands-free cell phone use and allows hand-held cell phone use by law enforcement officers or emergency vehicle drivers.
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