Update: After three months of warnings, Shaker Heights police will begin issuing tickets today to folks using their cell phones while driving.

As we mention below, drivers caught using any kind of mobile device while operating a vehicle could face a first-degree misdemeanor charge, as well as a fine and jail time.

So, if you’re heading out that way today, or to Beachwood, South Euclid, University Heights, or Pepper Pike, for that matter, do your phone fiddling ahead of time and put it away until you’ve parked.

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(Originally posted 03/26/2014)

Back in February, the Shaker Heights Council passed an ordinance banning the use of cell phones while driving. Today, that law goes into effect.

Folks caught texting, emailing, or fiddling with any kind of mobile device while driving through Shaker Heights can now be pulled over and slapped with a first-degree misdemeanor charge. At it’s maximum penalty, that could mean a $1000 fine and six months behind bars. At it’s minimum, it could mean a regular traffic citation and a fine similar to that of a speeding ticket.

Shaker Heights joins Beachwood, South Euclid, University Heights, and Pepper Pike in their treatment of driving while using a cell phone as a primary offense (state laws treat it as a secondary offense, except in the case of minors).

The Shakerite reports that although the law goes into effect today, drivers pulled over for this offense will only be issued a warning until May 25. After that, police will begin issuing tickets.

This article appears in May 21-27, 2014.

Alaina Nutile is the Web Editor who oversees all digital content and social media initiatives for Cleveland Scene Magazine and Detroit Metro Times. Before joining the staff in June 2013, she interned at Business Insider in New York City, and at La Hora in Quito, Ecuador. Alaina is a graduate of Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where she double majored in English and Spanish. Her interests include Japanese food, Breaking Bad, and career development advising.

7 replies on “Update: It’s Now a Misdemeanor to Use Your Cell Phone While Driving in Shaker Heights”

  1. I bet they have an exemption for their cops having those things attached to their ear. Fake @55 laws.

  4. Yes, Jeff, hands-free is okay. There should be uniformity across the region and state on this so everyone knows what the law is wherever they are driving.

  5. This law will upset a lot of women, since 80percent of the people on the phone behind the wheel are women. Sorry ladies its a fact.

  7. Does the law actually say “fiddling”? Not a very precise term. The only definition of fiddling in the dictionary is “trifling, petty”.

    Or does that mean play the fiddle with your fiddle app?

    LOL

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