Old Town residents can't seem to decide one way or another about whether the new distracted driver law is for better or worse. On one hand, citizens like Paul Cartolano say it will keep drivers on their toes.



On the other hand, residents like Ryan Aguilar say it's just another example of government restriction taking over everyday life.



Similar sentiments from both sides of the issue seem to echo throughout the state, leaving some drivers more cautious and others more skeptical than ever. Bill White, a delivery driver for Acme Pizza in Old Town, is still on the fence.



The distracted driver law was enacted on September 12th, however police say they will issue warnings for the first couple of months before ticketing drivers.

Maine is one in a long line of states to outlaw the practice. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that eighteen states have banned texting, and seven of those states have also banned talking on a hand-held cell phone.

Larry Zeitlin, an Old Town resident who admits to sometimes using his cell phone when he drives, thinks talking on a cell phone is OK at times, but that the real danger is in texting.



Some residents see the bill as Maine's willing submission to Congress, which is in the process of reviewing a nationwide bill submitted by New York senator Charles Schumer to ban cell phones while driving. The punishment for non-compliance would be a 25% loss of federal highway funds. With most of the state being rural, Maine relies more on its highway system than most and cannot afford to pass up government money.



Even city officials are worried that the law may be difficult to put into practice. Old Town city council president David Mahan says he'll be more cautious now, but doesn't know if the law will be easily enforced.



Over half a million people were injured in 2008 due to some kind of distraction while driving. Nearly 6,000 deaths occurred due to inattention, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.