HPD releases Hands-Free Ordinance citation numbers for month of July

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Huntsville Police Department has released the number of citations given out after it began enforcing the Hands-Free ordinance on July 1.

Huntsville Police say that between July 1 and July 31, officers gave out 14 warnings and 31 citations to drivers.

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The ordinance technically went into effect on January 1, but for the first six months, Huntsville Police gave people a ‘grace period,’ and did not issue citations – only warnings. Officers began issuing citations on July 1.

Under Alabama state law, texting and driving is a secondary offense, meaning police need a stronger reason to pull you over. But Huntsville’s ordinance makes driving with a wireless telecommunications device in your hand a first offense.

The City of Huntsville defines a wireless telecommunications device as a smartphone, cell phone, electronic reader or tablet, laptop, and GPS device.

Under the law it is illegal to do the following while physically holding a device:

  • Write, send, read or engage in text-based communication

  • Watch or record a video

  • Take or look at a picture

Huntsville Police will be fining those who break this law $50, along with a point on their license for their first offense. A second conviction within a 24-month period will carry a $100 fine, and a third conviction will have a $150 fine.

The ordinance aims to promote safety on the roads and lower the impact distracted driving has on emergency services.

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