District of Columbia: Cell phone laws, bills

Current prohibitions:

Drivers must use hands-free devices.

Drivers with learner’s permits prohibited from using cell phones.

School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

Pending legislation:
None.

Legislation notes:
Enforcement of the hands-free cell phone law began in summer 2004.

D.C. police reported writing about 8,300 tickets for cell phone use by drivers in 2006 and about 7,500 in 2005. In 2007, citations neared 10,000.

Police say the law covers text messaging while driving.