PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The city of Portland is going to crack down on distracted drivers, especially the ones who ignore state law on using cell phones while behind the wheel.
Nearly 18 months after Oregon’s hands-free cell phone law took effect, drivers in Portland will be facing the possibility of a $142 ticket if they’ve got their cell phone in one hand and the other on the wheel.
The Oregonian reports that Portland Mayor Sam Adams says he’s ready to get more serious about a problem that was linked to 20 percent of the nation’s injury crashes and nearly 5,500 traffic fatalities in 2009.
And beginning next year, the Oregon Legislature is also closing a cell phone law loophole that allows drivers to talk on cell phones if it’s work-related.
