The Vermont House has advanced a bill that would ban the use of all but hands-free cellphones and other electronic devices while driving.
Backers say drivers could continue using hands-free devices while operating a motor vehicle. And the bill makes an exception for making an emergency call to 911.
The House gave the bill preliminary approval on a 130-11 roll call vote on Thursday. That vote came after Rep. Mark Huntley, a Cavendish Democrat, gave a speech in which he said his son was killed two years ago in a crash caused when he was distracted while looking for music on his smartphone.
The bill's fate is uncertain in the Senate, and Gov. Peter Shumlin's administration opposes the measure.
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