New Hampshire's 'Hands-Free' Distracted Driving Law In Effect
CONCORD, N.H. (CBS/AP) — New Hampshire is now the 15th state to bar drivers from using hand-held cellphones while driving.
The new "hands-free" law, in effect as of Wednesday, applies to all hand-held devices, including GPS units, tablets and laptops.
Violators face a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for subsequent offenses within a 24-month period.
Bluetooth or other hands-free electronic devices will be allowed.
Police say in the last four years, distraction was the cause of 124 crashes on New Hampshire's roads.
State Rep. Robert Theberge, a co-sponsor of the legislation, says texting while driving has gotten out of hand.
"You've got to be very careful, I don't understand why people are texting," he said. "Is the information you're trying to convey that important that it can't wait?"
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports:
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