New Hampshire Senate
Statehouse, Room 302
107 North Main Street
Concord, New Hampshire
Massachusetts 03301-4951
Dear Senator,
As your voting constituent, I am writing to you regarding the House Bill 4975 signed by Governor Deval Patrick on July 2, 2010 that prohibits text messaging and using a cellular phone while operating a motor vehicle. New Hampshire already has a law that ban texting while driving. This bill would extend that ban to cover talking on a handheld cell phone or to use handheld devices for some activities. These activities are using the internet or putting information in a navigation system. It would not prohibit the drivers from talking on hands-free devices such as a Bluetooth system or using GPS navigation systems, programmed before driving begins. Under the bill, no one under the age of 18 can use any cellular communication while driving, even hands-free. If a person disobeyed the law, he would receive violation level offenses, a $100 fine for the first violation, a $250 fine the second violation, and a $500 fine for the third violation in two years. The House just passed a bill that would ban people from using handheld cellular devices while driving. The vote was 192-133, and the bill will now go to the Senate.
In this connection, I would express my side about this bill. I believe that to combat the growing distracted driving issues, the bill should be fully enforced. There are opponents of the bill stated that it would be unwise to pass another law when the distracted driving law is on the book, the texting ban. Opponents also added that it is up to individuals to decide whether they can drive and talk on the phone safely. However, as a supporter of this bill, I would disagree on the views of the opponents. I strongly favors that the bill is about the safety and it takes into account opinions of the public safety, the cell phone or mobile phone providers. As per report of the police authority, nearly 30% of the fatal motor vehicle accidents are the bad result of distracted driving. It is the perfect time to address this very dangerous problem of distracted drivers while driving.
Some representatives called the bill as a pro-liberty bill and I strongly agree on it. Every person should have the right to walk down the street, would not be woried of any road or street accidents to occur, and parents would not be worried for their children as victims of distracted drivers. If the bill is signed into law, then New Hampshire will join the 12 states that ban the use of handheld cellular devices while driving.
Thank you so much in advance for your time and consideration on this matter.
Best regards,
Reference
Editor in Hands Free Info. (2008, November 12). Massachusetts: Cell phone laws, legislation.
Hands Free Info . Massachusetts, United States of America. Retrieved from http://handsfreeinfo.com/massachusetts-cell-phone-laws-legislation/
