Massachusetts State Police begin distracted driving enforcement campaign, here is what happens if you get caught

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.