DoD: Drivers Must Use Hands-Free Cell Phones

A new federal law prohibits using cell phones while driving on Defense Department installations unless the phones are hands-free. Each service is preparing its own regulations, which will be implemented by base commanders. The law comes in response to statistics citing an increased number of cell phones as direct and indirect contributing factors to traffic accidents. For example, in 2002, 611 accidents in California were charged directly to cell phone usage. It’s unclear whether the new law will apply to bases overseas.