New Hampshire’s Hands Free Law will take effect July 1, 2015
No use of hand held electronic devices capable of providing voice or data communication while driving or
temporarily halted in traffic for a stop sign or traffic signal or other momentary delays
This includes cell phones, GPS, tablets, iPods, iPads or other devices that require data entry
Emergency calls to 911 or other public safety agencies will be allowed
Bluetooth or other hands-free electronic devices will be allowed
One hand non-cellular 2-way radio use will be allowed
Teen drivers under the age of 18 will not be allowed to use any electronic devices except to report an
emergency
Penalties for Violations
1st Offense $100 fine
2nd offense $250 fine
3rd Offense within 2 years $500 fine
Penalty assessments will be added to the fines
Why is this law important?
During the past 4 years, 116 fatal crashes in New Hampshire were caused by distraction
The increasing use of electronic devices is fast becoming the primary distraction
While texting a driver is 23 times more likely to crash
Sending or receiving a text, distracts the driver for almost 5 seconds
At 50 miles per hour, we travel longer than the length of a football field during that 5 seconds
To learn more, go to Driving Towards Zero
