Rhode Island Hands-Free Driving Law In Effect

Rhode Island's hands-free phone law went into effect Friday and drivers must now put away their phones when behind the wheel or face a fine up to $100. Drivers are still be allowed to make voice commands to their phones via Bluetooth, for example. Rhode Island lawmakers last year joined their counterparts in about a dozen states who have banned hand-held phone use while driving.

Rhode Islanders are ranked among the worst in the nation regarding distracted driving. A national study released this month placed Rhode Island among the top 10 states with the most distracted drivers per capita.

"With education and enforcement, there's no question this new hands-free law will save lives," said Rhode Island State Police Colonel Ann Assumpico in a statement. "We will do our part to ensure motorists understand and abide by the new law, which will make our roads safer for everyone."

Assumpico added fines may be waived for first-time offenders by showing proof of purchase of a hands-free device.

Rhode Island officials already banned texting while driving and minors are prohibited from hand-held phone use while driving.

The aforementioned national study, conducted by analytics firm Zendrive, found 88 percent of drivers use their phones behind the wheel.

Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont also have hands-free driving laws.

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