Texting Ban Proceeding in Vermont Legislature

Posted on February 20, 2010

The Vermont General Assembly is taking testimony on distracted driving while considering an outright ban on cell phone use. A measure already passed by the Senate would ban texting. 

The transportation committee is considering its options:

State Sen. Richard Mazza, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said lawmakers are more eager to pass a ban on texting than on cell phone use. If a general cell phone ban is passed, it would more likely be aimed at junior operators, he said.

Despite a lack of evidence that cell phone bans reduce accidents (a recent study by the Highway Loss Data Institute found no reduction in insurance claims in states that have enacted cell phone bans) the legislature seems likely to pass some type of ban. 

Of concern to Vermont Drivers, this would provide the police with yet another reason to stop otherwise law abiding drivers.