1000s Ticketed for Using Cellphones While Driving in Nevada

Thousands of Nevadans have been ticketed for violating a new state law prohibiting the use of cellphones while driving.

According to the Office of Traffic Safety, Las Vegas Metropolitan police issued 2,261 tickets in the first quarter of this year, while the Nevada Highway Patrol’s northern command handed out 1,645 tickets.

Since the law took effect Jan. 1, the Nevada Appeal reports 1,007 drivers have been convicted of a first-time violation and four drivers have already been cited twice.

NHP Trooper Chuck Allen says hundreds of warnings also were issued the first three months of the new law.

Authorities say cellphone use while at a stoplight is one of the most common violations. They also attribute the problem to habit, saying drivers pick phones up when they ring.