Rhode Island officials vow to enforce ban on driving with handheld phones

PROVIDENCE — From the Route 95 overpass on Westminster Street on Thursday, a group of law enforcement leaders gathered to send a message: Authorities will enforce a new prohibition against drivers holding a cell phone and placing or receiving a call.

The state law, which makes various handheld phone activities illegal while driving, takes effect June 1. The location of the press conference was chosen to emphasize that local Rhode Island police will enforce the new ban.

“The Providence Police Department will be vigilant in the enforcement of this new law as it goes into effect next week,” Providence police Col. Hugh T. Clements Jr. said in a statement sent after the press conference. “I urge drivers to utilize hands-free devices in their vehicles to assist the efforts of law enforcement officials and to curb the growing epidemic of distracted driving that is occurring nationwide.”

In an interview after the press conference, Clements acknowledged that he himself has answered a cell phone call while driving, but that’s over now. He has applauded the new law as important and necessary.

Read more: http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20180524/ri-officials-vow-to-enforce-ban-on-driving-with-handheld-phones