Posted at: 06/22/2009 7:19 PM
Updated at: 06/22/2009 7:28 PM
By: Eyewitness News 4

Espanola cell phone ban goes into effect

Some Espanola residents say they were kept in the dark in the lead up to the city's ban on cell phone use while driving.

City officials say it's been in the works for months. And at the last city council meeting, the ban managed to pass with a unanimous vote�but with no input from the public.

Drivers caught using their cell phone while driving face a $100 fine when the law goes into effect July 1.

Espanola City Manager Veronica Albin says the public had plenty of time to give their input on the legislation.

"Like most other ordinances that are adopted in the City of Espanola, there was no public input, but that's not unusual. It's not unusual that we don't get the high attendance at our meeting," she said.

Albin says the city filed a notice with the Albuquerque Journal, but not with the Santa Fe New Mexican or the Rio Grande Sun News.

Some drivers say the fine is too steep. But others are glad police are cracking down on what they see as a dangerous habit.

"It's better not having a cell phone in your car because there's a lot of vehicle wrecks in town--people on their phones because they don't pay attention," one motorist said.

Espanola Police Chief Julian Gonzales has simple advice to avoid being ticketed.

"Stay off the phone, quit texting, drive your vehicle, pull over if you have to. If you don't, have a hands free device," he said.