Is NH's hands-free law effective?

According to data released by the New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles on August 1, fatalities from car crashes are up 52 percent this year from last year.

The report shows 73 fatalities resulting from car crashes this year compared to 48 that were reported as of August 1, 2015.

However, just one of the 2016 fatalities involved distracted driving, the Nashua Telegraph reports. There were six fatal collisions due to distracted driving in 2015. 

Conceived as a way to lower fatalities on the road and enhance public safety, New Hampshire’s “hands-free driving” law went into effect in July 2015.

Supporters of the "hands-free law" argue that more complete data will show that fatalities from distracted driving are down. New Hampshire State Police Capt. Matt Shapiro told the Union Leader that fatalities may have increased because a lack of snowbanks this winter meant drivers were more likely to hit something when they went off the road. 

Others counter however, that the law is simply not effective, and note that drivers may hide their phones in their laps. This actually increases the danger of distracted driving and is difficult for police to detect.