Senate passes bill banning hand-held cell phone use while driving

March 9, 2016 10:32 pm

By News Staff

news@abc6.com

Rhode Island residents may not be able to hold onto their cell phones and take a call while driving in the state for much longer.

The State Senate passed a bill that would ban everything except hands-free calling on a 35 to 2 vote Wednesday.

If the House passes its version of the bill and it becomes law, first-time offenders would face a warning if they’re caught, but have to show proof they’ve bought hands-free tech after getting pulled over. Otherwise, they would face a fine of no more than 100 dollars.