By
Cat Viglienzoni - July 2, 2010
If you're driving home... you're
going to want to put down that phone. Governor Deval Patrick signed a law today
banning non-calling activity on electronic devices for all motorists while
driving. The law also bans all cell phone use by drivers under the age of 18
and mandates that drivers over 75 renew their licenses in person and get vision
tests every five years.
The law aimed at combating distracted driving
will take effect in 90 days, in October. It would make Massachusetts the 29th
state to ban texting while driving and also the 29th to ban cell
phone use for drivers under 18.
Patrick said he understands that people often
don't have enough time to do everything they need to do and texting, email and
phones are a part of how all of it gets done.
"But using those tools must be done wisely," he said. "It
must be done consistent with the safety of oneself and others. And this bill,
by banning texting while driving, is a big step in the right direction."
Violations will result in a $100 fine and drivers could also face license or learner permit suspension. However, the
offense will not be considered a moving violation and therefore will not result
in an insurance rate increase for the driver.
Executive director of the Governors Highway
Safety Association Barbara Harsha said in an interview with WERS they think the
law will make a difference in distracted driving.
"I think most
people are law-abiding citizens, and if they know the law is on the books, they
are going to alter their behavior," she said.
Because driving often involves many split-second
decisions, Harsha said they feel laws that make people pay more attention to
the road can help prevent accidents.
"We want people concentrate
on doing a good job driving, and that means putting down the cell phone or the
PDA or whatever and just focus on driving, because that's how you get home
safely," she said.
Harsha also said because teens and novice drivers are
more easily distracted and less experienced, the law is a positive step in teen
driving safety.
"Restricting any use of portable electronic devices like
cell phones or restricting texting is really going to help save teen lives,"
she said. "For teenagers, the biggest cause of fatalities is motor vehicle
crashes, so anything we can do to cut down on the number of crashes is very
positive."
Restrictions on texting - or calling for teens - do not
apply in emergency situations or when the car is pulled over and parked.
