Starting July 1, having a cell phone in your hand while driving could cost you
Effective July 1, drivers caught holding a cell phone may have to pay up to a $200 fine.
Until recently, the law only prohibited the "use" of smartphones while driving, leaving a loophole for drivers who claimed they were merely "holding" their devices. The newly revised stature will be stricter, reducing the potential for confusion and disputes when it comes to enforcing the law against distracted driving.
The specifics
The updated law, titled "Distracted Driving; Hands-Free Use," amends the previous statute (Amend 23 V.S.A. § 1095b) to explicitly state that even holding a portable electronic device is now prohibited. Act No. 41 covers various updates to laws related to vehicles.
The definition of "securely mounted" has also been revised to ensure that devices do not obstruct the windshield and remain stationary under typical driving conditions. Drivers can still use “hands-free” features on devices or vehicles such as Apple Car Play or voice control, as long as the portable electronic device is not held by the driver.
The law was signed on June 1, and goes into effect July 1.
The numbers
Between 2017 and 2021, there were an estimated 1,168 crashes caused by distracted drivers, accounting for about 17% of all serious accidents, according to the Vermont Department of Transportation.
If traveling 65 miles per hour, a car can cross the length of a football field in less than five seconds, approximately the time it takes to send a quick text.
Contact Free Press staff writer Isabella Infante at iinfante@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont stiffens law against texting while driving with steep fine
