Bill proposes ban on all cell phone use while driving

HB 546 proposes to prohibit the use of cell phones while driving.

The bill was proposed in the 2011 legislative session and is scheduled for a hearing Feb. 22 before the House Transportation Committee.

The measure provides for a $100 fine for anyone caught using a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Democratic state Rep. Laura Pantelakos of Portsmouth is the primary sponsor of the bill.

She told WMUR the main goal is to improve safety on the roads. In addition, she said adults driving while talking on cell phones are setting a bad example for the younger generation.

"You can always tell when someone is on the cell phone because they will be going along 50 or 60, and then all of a sudden drop down to 40, 30, 20, and then the conversation starts picking up again and they start picking up the speed," Pantelakos said in the WMUR report.