Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The first day of a new hands-free driving law in Utah is in the books, and statistics show many motorists received warnings to not use their phones while driving.
Troopers gave out 159 warnings to drivers to put down their phones and pay attention to the road Tuesday, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
Troopers issued nine citations to drivers who were so distracted that they were putting the public at risk.
UHP said troopers focused on educating drivers on the new law that restricts cellphone use: no texting, no surfing the Web, no dialing phone numbers or typing on a GPS while the vehicle is in motion.
UHP said many of the motorists claimed to be unaware of the new rules that allow for a class C misdemeanor and up to a $100 fine.
Contributing: Becky Bruce