Md. House OKs beefing up of distracted driving law

The Maryland House of Delegates voted 106-29 Thursday to make talking on a handheld cellphone while driving a primary offense punishable by a fine of up to $500 plus points on the offender's driving record, the Associated Press reported.

If passed by the State Senate and signed into law by the governor, the law would permit police to pull a driver over if observed talking on a cellphone. At present, drivers may only be ticketed for talking on a cellphone while driving if pulled over for some other…