Crime
Massachusetts State Police begin distracted driving enforcement campaign, here is what happens if you get caught
![](https://fallriverreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/distracted-driving-cell-phone.jpg)
Throughout April, Massachusetts State Police are rolling daily high visibility enforcement patrols across the state as part of a nationwide distracted driving enforcement campaign. Keep your eyes on the road, not your phone, or you could face a fine, or much worse.
From 2015 to 2019 in Massachusetts, 12% of fatal crashes involved distracted driving. Massachusetts law prohibits operators of motor vehicles from using any electronic device, including cellphones, unless the device is in hands-free mode. Despite enactment of this “hands-free” law on February 23, 2020, the Registry of Motor Vehicles reported that 53,638 motor vehicle citations were issued from February 2020 through June 2021.
Penalty for violating the hands-free law:
- 1st offense – $100 fine.
- 2nd offense – $250 fine, plus mandatory completion of a distracted driving educational program.
- 3rd and subsequent offenses – $500 fine, plus insurance surcharge and mandatory completion of distracted driving educational program.
Drivers who are 18 and over
- Can only use electronic devices and mobile phones in hands-free mode and are only permitted to touch devices to activate hands-free mode.
- Not permitted to hold or support any electronic device/phone.
- Cannot touch phone except to activate the hands-free mode and can only enable when the device is installed or properly mounted to the windshield, dashboard, or center console in a manner that does not impede the operation of the motor vehicle.
- Not allowed to touch device for texting, emailing, apps, video, or internet use.
- Activation of GPS navigation is permitted when the device is installed or properly mounted.
- Handheld use is allowed only if the vehicle is both stationary and not located in a public travel lane or a bicycle lane, but is not allowed at red lights or stop signs.
- Voice to text and communication to electronic devices is legal only when device is properly mounted; use of headphone (one ear) is permitted.
Drivers who are under 18
- Are not allowed to use any electronic devices. All phone use while driving is illegal, including use in hands-free mode.
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RedPilled
April 15, 2024 at 6:09 am
Just in my commute to and from work I probably see about 100 violations daily. People just don’t think of the consequences.