A significant number of drivers in downtown Burlington, Vermont had phone calls to take or make and messages to check Wednesday, October 1st — even though a new law bans the use of hand-held electronics while driving.
The fine for a first offense, including fees, is $162. A ban on texting while driving already is in effect in Vermont.
The prevalence of cellular phones, new research, and publicized crashes has started many debates related to the role cell phones play in driver distraction.
Cellular phone use and texting while driving laws:
- Hand-held Cell Phone Use Ban: 13 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.
- All Cell Phone ban: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 37 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice or teen drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit any cell phone use for school bus drivers.
- Text Messaging ban: 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers.
- 4 states prohibit text messaging by novice or teen drivers.
- 3 states restrict school bus drivers from texting.
Review state-by-state chart that details state cellular phone use and texting while driving laws.
