State transportation records show 379 crashes resulting from electronic distracted driving from 2009 through 2013. There was one fatality.
Vermont became the 13th state to bar all drivers from handheld cell phone use.
Vermont Law S.314 Starts October 1, 2014
>All uses of handheld devices banned while driving (cellphones, MP3 players, iPods, etc.)
>Drivers under 18 banned from using “all handheld and hands-free devices” while driving
>Violation of S.314 a “serious traffic violation” (cause for officer to pull driver over)
>Handheld devices can be used while legally parked out of traffic
>Drivers allowed to use handheld devices to call enforcement and emergency officials
>Hands-free systems/mounts allowed (can activate device only securely mounted; no mounts on windshield allowed)
Fines:
First offense – not less than $100 and not more than $200
Second offense within 2 year period – not less than $250 and not more than $500
No points are charged against a driver’s license for offenses that occur outside a work zone
S.314 does not apply to two-way or citizen’s-band equipment
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2014/bills/Intro/S-314.pdf
http://handsfreeinfo.com/vermont-cell-phone-laws-legislation/
