Vermont's Cell Phone Ban Explained

Vermont's Statewide Handheld Ban Takes Effect October 1 

As of Monday, October 1, 2014, use of any handheld portable electronic device while driving in Vermont is illegal. The law (23 V.S.A. § 1095b) carries fines of up to $200 with points assessed if the violation occurs in a work zone. Use of a mobile device is permitted if an approved "hands-free" technology, such as Bluetooth, is properly installed — however, junior operators are strictly forbidden to use cell phones of any kind while driving. The ban covers all portable electronic devices, including, music players, laptop computers, and cellular telephones.

What does "hands-free" mean?

Hands-free means the portable electronic device is not in the hands of the driver. Devices can be used by employing an internal feature such as Bluetooth or a wired headset with a single-button control, or a speakerphone. The device itself can be used for single button hands-free operation, as long as the device is in a cradle or otherwise securely mounted in the vehicle. The ban is lifted when the driver needs to communicate with law enforcement or emergency service personnel in an emergency. For more information on which hands-free device is right for you, download this guide from the Vermont Agency of Transportation.

Vermont neighbors, The Province of Quebec and New York State have each had a handheld ban in effect for several years. New Hampshire’s ban will take effect in July of 2015

Fines 

Violators shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $200.00 for a first violation, and of not less than $250.00 and not more than $500.00 for a second or subsequent violation within any two-year period. If the violation occurs within a properly designated work zone in which construction, maintenance, or utility personnel are present, two points will be assessed against the violators’ license for a first conviction and five points assessed on subsequent convictions.

More Info

For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, see this page from the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance: Vermont Cell Phone Ban FAQs, and the DMV Enforcement Bulletin.

Also, listen to this great discussion on VPR: Hands Off: The Logistics Of The Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban.

An Exciting Day!

That's our Chris Maley looking on as Governor Shumlin signs ban on hand-held devices for drivers. Chris worked hard to help educate Vermonters and pass the bill.

. @GovPeterShumlin signs law banning cell phone use while driving this fall. Expands on texting ban in #VT pic.twitter.com/4kL6EIZfIS
— Jack Thurston (@JackNECN) June 12, 2014

See full coverage here of Governor Shumlin signing the bill as reported by WCAX - Channel 3.

WCAX.com

Vermont Trial Lawyers Support Hands-Free Cell Phone Bill

The Vermont House of Representatives passed a bill (H. 62) on February 13 that would prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

Vermont's trial lawyer group, the Vermont Association of Justice, supports the bill which now goes before the Senate. Chris Maley, president of the VTAJ was among those who testified to ban cellphone use while driving. Maley, who has presented to area school groups on the dangers of distracted driving, shared how teenagers model the bad habits of adults who answer emails and text while driving.

As reported by the Valley News:

"Under the House bill, drivers would no longer be able to raise a cell phone to their ear and carry on a conversation, or scroll through their personal music players to change a song. 

The proposed legislation would prohibit drivers from operating hand-held electronic devices while the vehicle is in motion. 

Instead, drivers would have to mount the device, onto the dashboard for example, and would only be allowed to press one button to engage or disengage a call, or to activate a hands-free feature (such as Apple’s Siri function) on the phone, which would allow a driver to operate the phone by talking to the device. 

Drivers would be able to wear a headset or use a wireless Bluetooth feature in the vehicle to carry on a conversation or to change to a different tune, but the days of physically holding the device would be no more if the House bill becomes law."

For more information, see Valley News article: Hands-Free or Hang Up: Vermont Lawmakers Weigh Vehicle Cell Phone Restrictions