The new city ordinance prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving will now be enforced.
Greenville City Council recently passed an ordinance banning distracted driving in the city of Greenville. The ordinance, which goes into effect April 1, specifically prohibits the use of hand-held mobile devices while operating a vehicle, which includes not only while the vehicle is in motion, but also while the vehicle is temporarily stopped due to traffic, a traffic control device or other delays, such as waiting in a carpool line.
The ordinance does, however, permit drivers to use mobile devices while operating a vehicle, as long as they can be used hands free. In this case, hands free means that the driver is not holding a mobile device up to or near his or her ear to talk or listen, and that the driver is not holding a mobile device in his or her hand(s) and manipulating the keyboard or the screen. In other words, drivers may talk on their mobile phone, use their GPS or listen to music as long as they are using a Bluetooth, or as long as the device they are using is mounted on the dashboard or secured in a cradle or some type of holder. If the device cannot be used hands free, the driver must be legally parked in order to use their hand-held device.
Once the ordinance goes into effect, drivers who are stopped for distracted driving could be charged a fine of up to $100, plus court costs. The fine increases for second and third offenses, and ultimately, could result in the loss of a driver’s hand-held device. Greenville police officers will have the discretion to enforce the ordinance through warnings for a period of time.