CHAPTER 291

HB 34 – FINAL VERSION

24Mar2009… 0404h

2009 SESSION

09-0015

03/01

HOUSE BILL 34

AN ACT prohibiting writing a text message while driving.

SPONSORS: Rep. Drisko, Hills 5

COMMITTEE: Transportation

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits writing a text message and using 2 hands to type on or operate an electronic or telecommunications device while driving.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24Mar2009… 0404h

09-0015

03/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine

AN ACT prohibiting writing a text message while driving.

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

291:1 New Section; Rules of the Road; Prohibited Text Messages and Device Usage While Operating a Motor Vehicle. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 105 the following new section:

265:105-a Prohibited Text Messages and Device Usage While Operating a Motor Vehicle.

I. A person operating a moving motor vehicle who writes a text message or uses 2 hands to type on or operate an electronic or telecommunications device, is guilty of a violation. A person does not write a text message when he or she reads, selects, or enters a phone number or name in a wireless communications device for the purpose of making a phone call.

II. The fine for a violation of this section shall be $100.

291:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2010.

Approved: July 31, 2009

Effective Date: January 1, 2010