Wayne Texeira, Marketing Director, CFMP, AINS, AIS, API
New Hampshire is the latest state to establish a law that prohibits the use of hand-held electronic devices, effective July 1, 2015.
What Does This Mean?
- You may not use hand-held electronic devices capable of providing voice or data communication while driving or temporarily halted in traffic for a stop sign, traffic signal, or other momentary delays.
- This includes cell phones, GPS, tablets, iPods, iPads, or other devices that require data entry.
- Emergency calls to 911 or other public safety agencies will be allowed
- Bluetooth or other hands-free electronic devices will be allowed
- One-hand non-cellular 2-way radio use will be allowed
- Teen drivers under the age of 18 will not be allowed to use any electronic devices (hand-held or not) except to report an emergency. Anyone violating this will be subject to penalties and license suspension or revocation.
- If your vehicle lacks Bluetooth functionality, auto service centers can install after-market systems, or over-the-ear devices can be purchased at retailers such as Staples, Best Buy, or your cell phone carrier.
Source: www.handsfreenh.com
Penalties for Violations
The penalties are a $100 fine for the first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense, and a $500 fine for a third offense within two years. Additional penalty assessments will be added to the fines.
Cell Phone Laws in Other States
If you’re going to drive in another state, be sure you know the cell phone driving laws that apply. You can find more information about specific state requirements online. One resource is the Governors Highway Safety Association. http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
- Fourteen states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, prohibit drivers from using hand-held cell phones.
- 38 states and Washington D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers
- 46 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers
In Massachusetts, except for new and public transportation drivers, hand-held cell phones are allowed while driving. However, all drivers are prohibited from texting. Maine is similar to Massachusetts, except that there is no complete ban on cell phone use for public transportation drivers. Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont all have hand-held device bans. Maine and Rhode Island have bans on texting, but using a hand-held cell phone is still allowed.
Source: www.ghsa.org
Consider Curbing Your Use Even if it’s NOT the Law…Yet.
Even though hands-free devices are still allowed in all states for experienced drivers, there are still risks. Keep in mind that “hands-free” is not “risk-free.” According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 1 in 4 car crashes involve cell phone use.
And, even if a hand-held ban doesn’t yet exist in your state (or where you’re driving), it’s worth considering why these laws exist. It seems to be human nature to take chances and sometimes hold on to an “it won’t happen to me” mentality. It can and does happen to people like you who took a chance every day. Perhaps these stats will change your perception:
- Dialing a phone number increases the risk of a crash by three times
- A driver is 23 times more likely to crash while texting
- Sending or receiving a text distracts a driver for 5 seconds…at 50 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field blindfolded
- Drivers in their 20s make up 27% of distracted drivers in fatal crashes.
Source: www.handsfreenh.com
Please be safe on the road…your life and the lives of other drivers depend on your safe driving.
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