Wording Of El Paso’s Cell Phone Ban Causing Confusion

El Paso’s new cellphone ban went into effect April 1st, though there is a 30-day grace period. However, the new ban turns out to be much tougher than first thought.

The reason? A closer review of the ordinance finds any use of a cell phone is against the law and can result in a ticket, even if you have a hands-free device.

Many people thought they had to be holding their phone up to get a ticket. However, using a hands-free device does give you a better chance of beating a ticket, but there’s no guarantee, according to El Paso Police spokesman Darrel Petry.

Police tell ABC-7 their officers will use discretion in issuing tickets.

“Using a Bluetooth, using a speaker phone…using a hands-free device is not an exception; it’s an affirmative defense to prosecution,” says Petry.

In addition, you would have to go to municipal court to try to beat the $114 ticket.