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Vermont Handheld Cell Phone Ban - Phones Down, Heads Up!

October 1 2014

The ban takes effect October 1, 2014 and covers all portable electronic devices, including, music players, laptop computers, and cellular telephones. Hands-free use is permitted under the law, and hands-free means without the use of either hand and outside the immediate proximity of the user’s ear, by employing an internal feature—such as Bluetooth, for example—or as long as the device is in a cradle or otherwise securely mounted in the vehicle. Note that the ban is lifted when the driver needs to communicate with law enforcement or emergency service personnel under emergency circumstances. Know the consequences. A person who violates this section commits a traffic violation and 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. A person convicted of violating this section while operating within a properly designated work zone in which construction, maintenance, or utility personnel are present shall have two points assessed against his or her driving record for a first conviction and five points assessed for a second or subsequent conviction. A person convicted of violating this section outside a work zone in which personnel are present shall not have points assessed against his or her driving record.