GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE BILL 62

 
 
Short Title:	Use of Cellular Telephones.	()	
Sponsors:	Representatives McAllister;  Fitch, Oldham, and Adams.	
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.	
February 7, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN USES OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES BY AN OPERATOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 11C. Cellular Telephones.
"§ 20‑175.10.  Use of cellular telephones.
(a)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not operate a motor vehicle on the streets and highways of this State while using a handheld cellular telephone.
(b)  An operator of a motor vehicle shall have a one‑minute grace period on the receipt and transmission of cellular telephone calls. If an operator's cellular telephone call exceeds or the operator anticipates that a cellular telephone call will exceed the one‑minute grace period, the operator shall either terminate the telephone call or pull the motor vehicle off the street or highway and park the motor vehicle in a manner that does not violate any laws of this State.
(c)  The use of a handheld cellular telephone by an operator of a motor vehicle is not a violation of this section if the operator uses the telephone to call a 911 emergency number.
(d)  For purposes of this section, "cellular telephone" means a radio‑link telephone that provides dial tone access to a portable, mobile, or fixed location for which a charge is levied. 
(e)  This section shall not restrict the use of a radio‑link telephone by any public safety, emergency service, or law enforcement agency.
(f)  Violation of this section is an infraction."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2001.