State Gets Serious About Car Phone Ban--Almost

Using a cell phone in the car without a hands-free headset is really, finally, going to cost drivers a $100 fine anywhere in New York state, starting Saturday.

After all the publicity and a monthlong grace period in some municipalities, the fining begins in earnest. There’s no way around it now . . . except one.

A little-publicized section of the statewide phone ban says anyone given a ticket for holding and talking on the phone while driving can still, for now, avoid the $100 fine and $30 to $35 surcharge by purchasing a hands-free headset, and as long as it’s a first offense.