Handheld Phone Calls In Active School Zones Illegal Beginning Monday

A new law goes into effect Monday that aims to keep active school zones safer.

The new law will make talking on a cell phone – with the device in hand – illegal in an active school zone.

Cookeville Police Captain Bobby Anderson said officers will begin enforcing that law on Monday.

“The Cookeville Police Department will begin issuing warnings to get us started on it,” Anderson said. “Probably after two to three weeks we will start looking at issuing regular citations.”

Anderson said drivers over the age of 18 will be allowed phone calls in active school zones as long as it’s from a hand-free device.

Violators of the new law could face a $50 fine.