Vermont expands road rules for cellphones
Vermont's ban on handheld cellphones behind the wheel got a boost on Wednesday.
An update to the law prohibits handheld electronics while operating a motor vehicle on the road — closing a loophole that allowed people to check their phones while stopped temporarily in traffic.
State Sen. Dick Mazza, D-Grand Isle, was unaware of the loophole when last year's law passed the Legislature.
"To me it's more dangerous at an intersection or a red light to have a handheld device," Mazza said, "knowing that people are crossing the street in front of you."
"Hands off your phone" signs sprouted along Vermont highways last fall, when the state's original distracted-driving law took effect.
Vermont State Police have written approximately 1,600 tickets and 1,300 warnings since October, said Sgt. Teresa Randall. Further analysis of driver behavior and safety impacts will be available after the law has been in place for a full year.
Randall believes the new law will provide more clarity to the public: Driving and handheld devices don't mix.
"You are allowed to pull over safely off the travel portion of the roadway, but that excludes the interstate," she said.
State laws have cut back on driver cellphone use "somewhat," Mazza suggested, adding that more public education is necessary.
"It's still going to take time," Mazza said.
RELATED:
Contact April Burbank at 802-660-1863 or aburbank@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AprilBurbank