Have You Heard? NH New Hands-Free Electronic Device Law in Effect July 1, 2015

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.