An appeals court ruling means that police in Connecticut can no longer pull over drivers for simply holding a cellphone.
Peter Sherman, a traffic attorney, says drivers can now have a "cellphone in their hands to either activate or deactivate a function" such as navigation or other application.
Some drivers worry the ruling will become a "get out of jail free" card of sorts. John Forlivio, of Norwalk, says drivers could easily just say they weren't using the device as an excuse.
Norwalk police say the ruling will not change their enforcement.
"Our officers look for distracted violations, as opposed to just holding the phone, of course," says Norwalk Police Lt. Terry Blake.
Despite the ruling, texting and making calls without a hands-free device are still illegal.