cell phones

Published
March 1, 2023

Higher fines for violating hands-free driving law attract fans, key detractors

Though a state police lieutenant says more needs to be known about the existing law's effectiveness, supporters of increasing the fine to $500 say the current $50 penalty for handling a cellphone while driving fails as a deterrent.
Published
February 5, 2023

Maine considers steeper fines to deter distracted driving

Since Maine's hands-free driving law took effect in 2019, more than 3,000 drivers have received tickets each year. A legislative bill would increase penalties from $85 to $500 for a first offense and from $325 to $1,000 for a second offense.
Published
November 4, 2022

Schools clash with parents over bans on student cellphones

As growing numbers of schools move to limit student access to cellphones, many are navigating pushback from parents.
Published
June 14, 2022

Maine’s single area code now expected to last until end of 2025

The latest projection of when 207 numbers will be exhausted is a year later than had been expected. The previous estimate was through 2024.
Published
November 18, 2021

3G network shutting down in Maine, affecting older phones, devices

Some older cellphones will not be able to make or receive calls or texts after the switch and other devices like medical alert devices, smart watches, vehicle SOS services, home security systems and tablets could stop working.
Published
July 16, 2020

Maine’s days as 207 are numbered, because the area code’s ‘exhausted’

The state is running out of usable phone numbers to assign to its beloved area code, forcing regulators to consider adding a second one.
Published
April 16, 2020

Technology to track COVID-19 raises fears of mass surveillance

The ideas for new technologies range from systems to draw data from diagnostic testing labs and hospitals to mobile phone apps to identify the infected to help others avoid contact.
Published
April 15, 2020

Apple providing cellphone tracking data to officials to examine how well social distancing works

The data is presented in an anonymous, aggregated form, and officials can view it down to the city level.
Published
January 21, 2020

Lawmakers sideline proposed cellphone ban in parking lots

A bill that would have prohibited use of hand-held phones in parking lots now attempts only to clarify fines and other mistakes in the existing law.
Published
December 4, 2019

Our View: Maine’s new distracted-driving law needs time to work

The statute will ultimately be judged on whether it reduces accidents.