Northern Nevada law enforcement racks up 2,000 tickets for cell phone violations

More than 2,000 Northern Nevadans have been ticketed for cellphone-related traffic violations in the five months since the use of handheld phones has been banned in motor vehicles.
Nevada law enforcement agencies have worked in unison to crack down on drivers using their phones since the law went into effect Jan. 1, according to an Associated Press story.
Nevada law prohibits using cell phones or other wireless communications devices to make or receive phone calls, unless hands-free equipment is used. The same penalties as for texting: Nevada law prohibits drivers from using a cell phone or other wireless communications device to access or search the Internet, or to type, enter, send, or read any non-voice communication, including text messages, instant messages (IM), or email. Global positioning systems (GPS) are not covered by the law. The ban doesn't apply to emergency personnel, licensed amateur radio operators who are communicating certain public information, employees of public utilities who are responding to emergencies, or drivers who are reporting emergencies or responding to dangerous situations.

Violation of the law is punishable by a fine of up to $50 for a first offense; $100 for a second offense within seven years; and $250 for a third offense within seven years. Higher fines are imposed on drivers who violate the law in traffic control zones.
California has similar laws that prohibit drivers from talking and texting while driving.
See Nevada law as it was written below.