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Oregon Cracks Down On Cell Use In Cars October 1

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If you're still driving in Oregon with your hands on a phone, watch out.  A new law takes effect Sunday, October 1st, laying out stiffer restrictions on use of electronic devices behind the wheel. 

A loophole in the old law allowed people to use their devices as long as they were NOT talking on the phone or texting. 

The loophole is gone, to the relief of people like Ray Thomas, a lawyer who watches out for the rights of bicyclists; he's one of our guests. 

And it means a different approach for law enforcement.  Jackson County Sheriff Sgt. Julie Denney visits with Sgt. Jeff Proulx of the Oregon State Police.  They explain how the power to pull you over expands with the new law. 

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Geoffrey Riley is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has hosted the Jefferson Exchange on JPR since 2009. He's been a broadcaster in the Rogue Valley for more than 35 years, working in both television and radio.
April Ehrlich is JPR content partner at Oregon Public Broadcasting. Prior to joining OPB, she was a regional reporter at Jefferson Public Radio where she won a National Edward R. Murrow Award.