CONCORD, NH – Senate Transportation Committee Chair Denise Ricciardi (R-Bedford) today applauded votes by the House to pass two important traffic safety measures.
The House approved an amended version of a bill from Senator Bill Gannon (R-Sandown) to increase the administrative license suspension of failing to take a roadside sobriety test from 180 days to 9 months (SB 620) and passed a bill from Senator Donovan Fenton (D-Keene) to increase penalties for distracted drivers using cell phones (SB 649).
“Drunk driving and distracted driving are the greatest threats on New Hampshire roads. Far too many impaired drivers are refusing to take roadside sobriety tests because the license suspension is just 180 days. Likewise, the current penalties for distracted driving are not enough to get drivers to keep their eyes on the road. I want to thank Sens. Gannon and Fenton for taking the lead on these vital, bipartisan public safety measures.”
Background:
SB 620 as amended by the House would increase the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) for refusing to take a chemical test to 9 months, addressing the state’s low 75% test refusal rate. The House approved SB 620 by a vote of 259-94 today. The Senate passed SB 620 unanimously in January, and will now consider the House amendment.
SB 649 would increase the penalty for driving while using a portable electronic device up to $750 and a 30-day license suspension for a third offense, or $1,000 and a 60-day suspension if a crash results. The House voted to pass SB 649 by a vote of 232-123 today. The Senate passed SB 649 unanimously in January.