Put down your cell phone while driving because the New Jersey Appellate Division affirmed the defendant’s violation of the statute prohibiting the use of hands-free and hand-held wireless communication devices while driving. A police officer observed the defendant driving while holding his cell phone and moving his fingers “in a texting-like manner.” The officer pulled the defendant over. The defendant told the officer that he was activating his phone to pull up Google Maps and search for directions. The municipal court imposed a fine. On appeal de novo, the Law Division re-imposed the fines. The Appellate Division affirmed. The Court found that the Law Division’s interpretation of what constituted impermissible conduct under the statute was correct. And there was sufficient credible evidence to sustain the ruling that the statute prohibited the defendant’s actions.
