By Cristina Kumka
Staff Writer
March 3, 12:15 p.m.

Chatting on your cellphone or typing a text message while driving is now enough to get you pulled over.

"Starting March 1, talking on a hand held phone or texting while driving is against the law," according to the state Division of Highway and Traffic Safety.

Last week Englewood police were asked to watch for motorists using cellphones while driving, in accordance with a new law that makes it a primary offense. Police can pull drivers over and issue $100 tickets for using a phone, without a hands-free device.

The only exception to the no-chatting rule is if the driver has an emergency.

Gov. Jon Corzine signed the law in November 2007, but this version differs from one that was already on the books.

Originally, police had to have another reason to pull drivers over before issuing them a ticket for not keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Not anymore. Using a cell phone can cost drivers anywhere from $100 to $250. However, points won’t be issued for the infraction.

Drivers can’t escape the new law by crossing state lines. New Jersey and neighboring New York are among four states that banned all hands-on cellphone use.

A hands free device is recommended for driving under the influence of talking.

But drivers aren’t the only people to feel the effect of the new law — police in Englewood were told to practice what they preach. Officers were instructed to stay off their hand-helds too unless it’s for police business.

For more information, go to the state’s Division of Highway and Traffic Safety Web site at http://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/index.html.