Vermont drivers will be going hands free beginning at midnight in an effort to crack down on distracted driving in the state.
The law, extending Vermont's current ban on texting and driving, will include any handheld electronic device.
According to Bennington Police, public safety campaigns warning the public have been up in the state since July. They say it's hard to drive down the street without seeing drivers using phones while behind the wheel.
"You've always got those that feel that the law may not apply to them, or can somehow justify their reason for using the device,” said Cpl. Christopher Lauzon with Bennington Police.
Keith Flinton commutes to school in Bennington and feels his ride is shorter when he talks on his phone.
“How are you going to drive hands free?” he asked. “I mean, everything in your vehicle you've got to touch.”
Starting on Wednesday, police say those breaking the law will face some hefty fines ranging from $162 and $277 for the first infraction.
“Once we start making some stops and educating people about the new law, it'll spread pretty quick,” Lauzon said.
Vermont drivers had mixed reactions to the new law.
"I think it's kind of silly, I mean texting is one thing, but I don't think talking on the phone, you're just standing and talking I don't think that's so bad,” said commuter Jerry Spiegel.
But Spiegel did admit that he feels safer knowing that even hands free communication devices like a bluetooth are banned for drivers under 18.
“Like the idea that my daughter isn't going to be on her phone and driving,” he said.
Lauzon has been in law enforcement in Vermont for 18 years. Whether requiring seatbelts or banning texting while driving, changes in the law always seem to take some time, and Lauzon says the new hand free driving law will follow suit.
“The safety factors involved, I think, it'll spread pretty quick,” he said.
While a maximum fine of almost $300 is set for a first-time offense and more than $600 after that, some drivers like Flinton say they may continue to take the risk.
“But are you constantly going to pull over?” he questioned. “You never know what's going to be important that's going to come through.”
Police say getting a ticket exactly at 12:01 a.m. will be up to the officer making the stop. Authorities will be distributing pamphlets to drivers to inform them of the change.
Talking on cellphones isn't the only thing banned starting on Wednesday. The new law groups together GPS, iPods, and phones in the same category. This means drivers will need to use Bluetooth or other hands free options.
The law, extending Vermont's current ban on texting and driving, will include any handheld electronic device.
According to Bennington Police, public safety campaigns warning the public have been up in the state since July. They say it's hard to drive down the street without seeing drivers using phones while behind the wheel.
"You've always got those that feel that the law may not apply to them, or can somehow justify their reason for using the device,” said Cpl. Christopher Lauzon with Bennington Police.
Keith Flinton commutes to school in Bennington and feels his ride is shorter when he talks on his phone.
“How are you going to drive hands free?” he asked. “I mean, everything in your vehicle you've got to touch.”
Starting on Wednesday, police say those breaking the law will face some hefty fines ranging from $162 and $277 for the first infraction.
“Once we start making some stops and educating people about the new law, it'll spread pretty quick,” Lauzon said.
Vermont drivers had mixed reactions to the new law.
"I think it's kind of silly, I mean texting is one thing, but I don't think talking on the phone, you're just standing and talking I don't think that's so bad,” said commuter Jerry Spiegel.
But Spiegel did admit that he feels safer knowing that even hands free communication devices like a bluetooth are banned for drivers under 18.
“Like the idea that my daughter isn't going to be on her phone and driving,” he said.
Lauzon has been in law enforcement in Vermont for 18 years. Whether requiring seatbelts or banning texting while driving, changes in the law always seem to take some time, and Lauzon says the new hand free driving law will follow suit.
“The safety factors involved, I think, it'll spread pretty quick,” he said.
While a maximum fine of almost $300 is set for a first-time offense and more than $600 after that, some drivers like Flinton say they may continue to take the risk.
“But are you constantly going to pull over?” he questioned. “You never know what's going to be important that's going to come through.”
Police say getting a ticket exactly at 12:01 a.m. will be up to the officer making the stop. Authorities will be distributing pamphlets to drivers to inform them of the change.
Talking on cellphones isn't the only thing banned starting on Wednesday. The new law groups together GPS, iPods, and phones in the same category. This means drivers will need to use Bluetooth or other hands free options.
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