Last year, the Nevada legislature passed a law prohibiting the use of handheld cell phones while driving on the state’s roadways. During the latter part of last year, police only issued warnings to drivers violating the law. But law enforcement agencies began writing tickets for these infractions at the start of this year.

So how are Las Vegas drivers doing?

Not all that well. According to the state’s Office of Traffic Safety, Las Vegas Metro Police wrote 2,261 tickets for using a cell phone while driving during the first three months of 2012. That averages out to more than one ticket per hour in the Las Vegas area.

Police say that the most common scenario where drivers break this law is while waiting at a traffic light. In addition, authorities say that many people are conditioned to answer their cell phone when it starts to ring – even if they happen to be behind the wheel at the time.

It is important to keep in mind that hands-free cell phone devices are still permitted under the new law. So authorities are urging motorists who want to use their cell phones while driving to invest in a mobile phone speaker, a Bluetooth earpiece, or similar hands-free device. Many new vehicles already come with hands-free technology installed on them.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an auto accident caused by someone talking on his or her handheld cell phone, you should call a qualified auto accident attorney< as soon as possible