Fourteen months ago, Bob Vanderbeck, of Nashua, was hit by a teen driver’s car while driving on the highway. At the time, the inexperienced driver was programming her handheld GPS.

Vanderbeck was hit by the driver at 70 mph, which sent his car end over end. The car rolled over four times before coming to a stop. Vanderbeck broke five ribs during the accident.

"It could have been a widowmaker," Vanderbeck said.

On July 25, 2014, a law prohibiting the use of handheld electronic devices while driving was enacted in New Hampshire. This law took effect on July 1 of this year. The prohibited devices include phones, GPS, iPods and electronic tablets.

According to Crime Analyst Dawn Reeby, from the Nashua Police Department, 381 drivers have been caught using handheld electronic devices while driving since the new Hands-Free Law has been passed.

Some people have seen a decrease in distracted driving following the enforcement of the law. Merrimack Police Department Capt. Michael J. Dudash said he has noticed fewer people using their cellphone while driving, and that the police department has stopped many cars for failing to comply to the hands-free law. "People are starting to change their ways, and it has been in a big way," Dudash said.

Despite the law being enforced, distracted driving is still a problem. Out of a group of 30 New Hampshire drivers surveyed last week, 67 percent said after the passage of the law, they still use handheld electronic devices "sometimes" while driving. Ten percent of those surveyed claimed they use handheld electronics most of the time while driving.

Andrew Ciminera, a resident of Stratham with more than 30 years of driving experience, still doesn’t see much of a change. When asked if he noticed handheld electronic devices being used while driving, he said, "I see it all the time. It scares me, because they’re usually swerving."

Not all drivers are thrilled with the passage of the law. Katie Parker, a senior at Nashua High School South, has been driving for approximately two years. "You shouldn’t text and drive if you can’t handle it," Parker said. "I can handle it." Parker also said that it is the driver’s responsibility to know the balance between what is safe and dangerous.

Michael O’Brien, a Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from Nashua, was a proponent for the hands-free law. "I picked the common-sense answer," O’Brien said. "If you’re going to drive, drive, and if you want to talk on the phone, pull over."

Republican New Hampshire State Rep. James Belanger, of Hollis, disagreed with O’Brien and voted against the law. Belanger said the law will encourage people to hide their phones rather than stop use altogether, causing more accidents than it prevents.

According to the law, drivers who violate the law will have to pay a fine of $100 for their first offence, $250 fine for a second offence and $500 for any further violations of this law within two years.

Hailee Whitesel and Alyssa Gillin are seniors at Nashua High School South.