§ 1099. Texting prohibited
(a) As used in this section, “texting” means the reading or the manual composing or sending of electronic communications, including text messages, instant messages, or e-mails, using a portable electronic device as defined in subdivision 4(82) of this title. Use of a global positioning or navigation system shall be governed by section 1095b of this title.
(b)(1) An individual shall not engage in texting while operating a moving motor vehicle in a place open temporarily or permanently to public or general circulation of vehicles.
(2) In addition, an individual shall not engage in texting while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway in Vermont, including while the vehicle is stationary, unless otherwise provided under this section. As used in this subdivision (b)(2):
(A) “Public highway” means a State or municipal highway as defined in 19 V.S.A. § 1(12).
(B) “Operating” means operating a motor vehicle on a public highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other temporary delays. “Operating” does not include operating a motor vehicle with or without the motor running when the operator has moved the vehicle to the side of or off the public highway and has halted in a location where the vehicle can safely and lawfully remain stationary.
(c)(1) An individual who violates this section commits a traffic violation as defined in section 2302 of this title and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100.00 and not more than $200.00 for a first violation, and of not less than $250.00 and not more than $500.00 for a second or subsequent violation within any two-year period.
(2) An individual convicted of violating this section while operating within the following areas shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $200.00 and not more than $400.00 for a first violation, and of not less than $500.00 and not more than $1,000.00 for a second or subsequent violation within any two-year period and shall have four points assessed against his or her driving record for a first conviction and five points assessed for a second or subsequent conviction:
(A) a properly designated work zone in which construction, maintenance, or utility personnel are present; or
(B) a school zone marked with warning signs conforming to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(3) An individual convicted of violating this section outside the areas designated in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall have two points assessed against his or her driving record. (Added 2009, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 1, 2010; amended 2013, No. 57, § 24; 2015, No. 50, § 13; 2019, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 34.)
Structure Vermont Statutes
Chapter 13 - Operation of Vehicles
§ 1004. Interstate highway rules
§ 1006. Stopping at railroad crossings
§ 1006a. Highways; emergency closure
§ 1006b. Smugglers’ Notch; winter closure of Vermont Route 108; vehicle operation prohibited
§ 1006c. Chain requirements for vehicles with weight ratings of more than 26, 000 pounds
§ 1007a. Neighborhood electric vehicles; speed limit
§ 1008. Regulations in municipalities
§ 1008a. Regulation of motor vehicles at State airports
§ 1009. Restrictions of controlled-access roadway
§ 1010. Special occasions; town highway maintenance
§ 1011. Applicability of this chapter
§ 1012. Obedience to enforcement officers
§ 1013. Authority of enforcement officers
§ 1014. Persons riding animals
§ 1015. Authorized emergency vehicles
§ 1017. Speed limit in school zones
§ 1021. Obedience to traffic-control devices
§ 1022. Traffic-control signals
§ 1023. Pedestrian-control signals
§ 1027. Unauthorized signs, signals, or markings
§ 1028. Interference with devices or signals
§ 1032. Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions
§ 1033. Passing motor vehicles and vulnerable users
§ 1037. One-way roadways and rotaries
§ 1038. Driving on roadways laned for traffic
§ 1039. Following too closely, crowding, and harassment
§ 1040. Driving on divided highways
§ 1041. Restricted access roadways
§ 1042. Restricting the use of town highways
§ 1043. Operation of neighborhood electric vehicles
§ 1046. Vehicle approaching or entering intersection
§ 1048. Stop or yield intersections
§ 1049. Vehicle entering from private road
§ 1050a. Authorized highway maintenance vehicles
§ 1051. Pedestrians’ right of way in crosswalks
§ 1052. Crossing except at crosswalks
§ 1054. Pedestrians to use right half of crosswalks
§ 1055. Pedestrians on roadways
§ 1057. Duty toward persons who are blind
§ 1059. Driving through safety zone
§ 1061. Turning at intersections
§ 1063. Starting parked vehicles
§ 1064. Signals required; general obligation to turn and move safely
§ 1071. Railroad grade crossings
§ 1072. Certain vehicles must stop
§ 1074. Vehicle entering roadway
§ 1076. Commercial motor vehicles; railroad crossings
§ 1081. Basic rule and maximum limits
§ 1083. Special speed limitations
§ 1091. Negligent operation; grossly negligent operation
§ 1092. Damaging surface of road
§ 1094. Operation without consent of owner; aggravated operation without consent of owner
§ 1095. Entertainment picture visible to the operator
§ 1095a. Junior operator use of portable electronic devices
§ 1095b. Handheld use of portable electronic device prohibited
§ 1098. Disposition of pending cases
§ 1101. Stopping, standing, or parking
§ 1102. Removal of stopped vehicles
§ 1105. Additional parking regulations
§ 1106. Limitations on use of State highway facilities
§ 1110. Prohibited idling of motor vehicles
§ 1111. Unattended motor vehicle
§ 1113. Limitations on backing
§ 1114. Riding on motorcycles and motor-driven cycles
§ 1115. Operating motorcycles and motor-driven cycles on roadways laned for traffic
§ 1116. Clinging to other vehicles
§ 1117. Footrests and handlebars
§ 1118. Obstruction to driver’s view
§ 1119. Opening and closing vehicle doors
§ 1122. Following fire apparatus prohibited
§ 1123. Driving over fire hose prohibited
§ 1125. Obstructing windshields, windows
§ 1126. Putting glass, other items, on highway prohibited
§ 1126a. Depositing snow onto or across certain highways prohibited
§ 1127. Control in presence of animals
§ 1130. Permitting unlicensed or impaired person to operate
§ 1133. Eluding a police officer
§ 1134. Motor vehicle operator; consumption or possession of alcohol or cannabis
§ 1134a. Motor vehicle passenger; consumption or possession of alcohol or cannabis
§ 1134b. Using tobacco or cannabis in a motor vehicle with child present
§ 1135. Trespass by motor vehicle
§ 1136. Application of subchapter; rights and obligations of bicyclists under other laws
§ 1138. Clinging to motor vehicles
§ 1139. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths
§ 1141a. Electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMD); required equipment; operation
§ 1143. Not evidence of negligence
§ 1201c. Calculation of suspensions and revocations
§ 1202. Consent to taking of tests to determine blood alcohol content or presence of other drug
§ 1203. Administration of tests; retention of test and videotape
§ 1203a. Independent chemical test; blood tests
§ 1203b. Duty to report blood test results
§ 1205. Civil suspension; summary procedure
§ 1206. Suspension of license for driving while under influence; first conviction
§ 1208. Suspensions for subsequent convictions
§ 1209a. Conditions of reinstatement; alcohol and driving education; screening; therapy programs
§ 1211. Construction of cross references
§ 1212. Conditions of release and parole; arrest upon violation
§ 1213. Ignition interlock restricted driver’s license or certificate; penalties
§ 1213a. Immobilization of vehicle
§ 1213b. Forfeiture of vehicle
§ 1213c. Immobilization and forfeiture proceedings
§ 1216. Persons under 21 years of age; alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more
§ 1218. Commercial motor vehicles; 0.04
§ 1219. Commercial motor vehicle; detectable amount; out-of-service
§ 1220a. DUI Enforcement Special Fund
§ 1220b. Blood and Breath Alcohol Testing Special Fund
§ 1221a. Defective equipment warning
§ 1222. Inspection of registered vehicles
§ 1222a. Emissions of diesel-powered commercial vehicles
§ 1224. Inspection certificates
§ 1227. Certified inspection mechanics
§ 1228. Mechanic certification; inspection designation; revocation
§ 1231. Administrative penalties
§ 1245. Illumination required on motorcycles
§ 1247. Approval of lighting devices
§ 1249. Directional signal lamps
§ 1251. Sirens and colored signal lamps; out-of-state emergency and rescue vehicles
§ 1252. Issuance of permits for sirens or colored lamps, or both; use of amber lamps
§ 1258. Child restraint systems; persons under age 18
§ 1259. Safety belts; persons 18 years of age or older
§ 1282. Operator, equipment, and inspection
§ 1283. Identification and equipment of school buses
§ 1287. Multifunction school activity bus
§ 1302. Rubber tires on trucks; number of trailers
§ 1307. Brake equipment required
§ 1308. Performance ability of brakes
§ 1341. Trailer coaches—Safety chain
§ 1344. Riding in trailer coaches
§ 1361. Lights on vehicles other than motor vehicles
§ 1391a. Penalties for overweight operation
§ 1392. Gross weight limits on highways
§ 1392a. Authority of Commissioner to delegate permitting functions
§ 1394. Designation of class 1 town highways
§ 1396. Special weight limits for bridges and highways
§ 1397a. Special limits for covered bridges
§ 1398. Certified statement to be filed
§ 1400. Permit to operate in excess of weight and size limits; State highways
§ 1400a. Special local highway and bridge limits; reimbursement for damages; special permits
§ 1400b. Filing of restrictions, publication
§ 1400c. Gross limits on town highways and bridges
§ 1400d. Agricultural service vehicles
§ 1402. Overweight, width, height, and length permits; fees
§ 1403. Expiration or revocation
§ 1405. Actions against the bond
§ 1406. Federally owned vehicles
§ 1407. Operation of overweight vehicles
§ 1408. Operating vehicle in excess of registered capacity
§ 1411. Refusal to weigh vehicle or remove overload
§ 1412. Multiple weight violations
§ 1413. Disposition of impounded vehicles and loads
§ 1414. Reciprocal enforcement
§ 1415. Transfer of weight permits
§ 1431. Height and width limits
§ 1434. Operation in excess of weight, height, or width limits; penalties
§ 1436. Statewide Municipal Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Fund
§ 1437. Exception for towaway trailer transporter combination
§ 1451. Loads on passenger cars