Henderson police barred from using mobile devices while driving

Henderson police are banned from using handheld mobile devices to talk or text while behind the wheel of a patrol vehicle under a new policy that went into effect Monday.

Distracted drivers are responsible for more than 3,500 crashes each year in Nevada, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. Since 2005, 71 of them have resulted in fatalities.

Henderson Police Chief Jutta Chambers doesn't want her officers to contribute to the carnage.

The Legislature earlier this year enacted a law banning all motorists in the state from using the devices while driving but exempted police.

"While law allows officers to use their cellphones in the performance of their duties while driving, we want to set an example for our citizens by driving safely and free from the distractions of handheld cellphones and texting," Chambers said. "I hope the new law will make the roadways a little safer for officers and motorists."

Officers with the North Las Vegas Police Department will be subject to similar restrictions once the department completes an overhaul of its policies .

"It's all about safety," said Sgt. Tim Bedwell, who said the North Las Vegas department began to implement the change before the Legislature took action. Bedwell expects the new policy to be in place in the coming months.

Bedwell suggested the policy probably would be embraced by law enforcement agencies throughout the county.

Statewide, officers will start issuing warnings to motorists. Offenders will be ticketed starting Jan. 1 with fines of $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second and $250 for a third.

There are exceptions: Motorists can use a handheld device to report a safety hazard, criminal activity or to request emergency assistance.

Henderson police spokesman Keith Paul said officers must buy their own hands-free devices.