Since a new traffic law went into effect on July 1st, the Jefferson Police Chief gives an update of how compliance has been going.

Police Chief Mark Clouse says the commonly known as the Hands-Free Law does not allow for any driver to be on their cell phone or any other electronic device while they are operating their vehicle, with certain exceptions. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio his officers are diligently looking for motorists that violate the new law.

“You’ll see them sitting at a couple of different spots on Elm Street, and Lincoln Way and different streets. But that’s what they’re doing is they’re primarily watching for that cell phone usage or tablet usage, whatever it may be.”  

Clouse notes that they can only issue warnings right now, and officers have not done too many of those, but that starting January 1, 2026, they can issue citations.