HB795 (2007) Detail

Relative to restricting usage of cellular phones while driving.


HB 795 – AS INTRODUCED

2007 SESSION

07-0091

03/09

HOUSE BILL 795

AN ACT relative to restricting usage of cellular phones while driving.

SPONSORS: Rep. Pantelakos, Rock 16; Rep. Drisko, Hills 5; Rep. Nowe, Rock 9; Rep. McEachern, Rock 16; Rep. Stevens, Carr 4

COMMITTEE: Transportation

ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits the use of cellular phones while actively driving a motor vehicle, except by certain emergency personnel in an official capacity.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

07-0091

03/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

AN ACT relative to restricting usage of cellular phones while driving.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Rules of the Road; Prohibited Uses of Cellular Phones While Operating a Motor Vehicle; Emergency Exception. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 105 the following new section:

265:105-a Prohibited Uses of Cellular Phones While Operating a Motor Vehicle.

I. Except as provided in this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public way while using any type of cellular telephone to engage in a call while such vehicle is in motion. An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a cellular telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, his or her ear while such vehicle is in motion, is presumed to be engaging in a call within the meaning of this section. This limitation shall not prevent persons from using “hands-free” mobile telephones, if they do not require hand-held operation. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation.

II. This section shall not apply to the use of cellular phones by fire, police, ambulance, and other emergency personnel when essential to the discharge of their official duties in an emergency or other extraordinary situation.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2008.