Some In Las Cruces Not Heeding Cellphone Ordinance

By ABC-7’s Jill Galus

The cellphone ordinance will soon take effect in El Paso, but in Las Cruces, it’s been more than a month since the ban on talking or texting behind the wheel has been in place.

But some are still not heeding the ordinance. ABC-7 spotted one woman driving, left hand holding a cellphone to her ear, talking and talking, and breaking the law.

We followed this woman from one side of Las Cruces to another, and from what we witnessed through her window, this conversation lasted at least four miles.

And she’s not the only one. Las Cruces Police have issued 77 citations in the first month the law has been in place.

We eventually caught up with the river, and thought we’d ask her if she was aware of the ordinance and if she knew hand-held cellphones are prohibited while driving.

The woman answered, “Well, I don’t really see it in spite of the law – it’s just, I’m not gonna be on the news, am I? I don’t wanna do this.”

If it was embarrassing for this woman, imagine how embarrassing it is to be caught by a police officer!

Remember that the ordinance includes talking or texting, and if you’re caught, you could pay up to $500 and/or receive a 90-day jail sentence.