D.C. police cracking down on cell phone drivers

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - District of Columbia officials hope drivers still using their cell phones learn to disconnect or go handsfree.

But it looks like motorists haven't learned the lesson. Police say the number of tickets handed out to violators of the city's ban on cell-phone use while driving has continued to climb since enforcement began in 2004.

Authorities have issued 6,851 distracted-driving tickets to licensed motorists for using cell phones through July, according to police data. That doesn't include tickets given to school bus drivers or those with a learner's permit.

An average of about 75...