Transportation 30

Vermont has become the 27th state to pass a texting while driving ban.  Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas recently signed an anti-texting bill and the law took effect June 1st. The new law is primary (meaning that a law enforcement officer can stop a motorist based solely on the suspicion of texting) and prohibits an operator of a motor vehicle on a public road from texting - imposing a $100 penalty for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense within a two year timeframe. 

In April we reported that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to toughen the punishment under its current texting ban that was established in January.  In addition to the steep fines now in place (up to $2,750 for each texting offense), the proposal would temporarily suspend commercial drivers caught texting while driving – at least 60 days for the second offense within three years and at least 120 days for three or more offenses within three years.  In addition, part of the proposal seeks to add state or local anti-texting laws to the list of serious traffic violations that can lead to disqualification for CDL drivers so motor carriers operating through Vermont should keep this in mind.