CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire is now the 15th state to bar drivers from using hand-held cellphones while driving.

The new “hands-free” law, in effect as of Wednesday, applies to all hand-held devices, including GPS units, tablets and laptops.

Violators face a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for subsequent offenses within a 24-month period.

Bluetooth or other hands-free electronic devices will be allowed.

Police say in the last four years, distraction was the cause of 124 crashes on New Hampshire’s roads.

View an interactive map of state-by-state laws regulating the use of handheld devices.

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