Bill would address crashes from distracted driving

Accidents resulting in serious injury, if the driver at fault was talking on a cellphone, may become a misdemeanor as a result of a new Maryland measure. Currently, supporters of the bill say crashes caused by cellphone distracted driving usually result in a traffic violation. The bill will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and would create a penalty of a $5,000 fine and up to three years in jail. The bill will be called Jake’s Law after Jake Owen, 5, was killed in a crash in 2011. Del. Luke Clippinger, D-Baltimore, is sponsoring the measure in the House of Delegates. Sen. Roger Manno, D-Montgomery, is sponsoring a Senate bill.