Safe Driving Bill Wins Legislative Approval PDF Print E-mail

June 24, 2010

The House of Representatives gave final approval yesterday to legislation aimed at improving the safety of Massachusetts drivers.  Representative Allen McCarthy (D - East Bridgewater) supported the bill.

The measure would ban all operators of motor vehicles, including law enforcement, from text messaging while driving.  Fines of $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 for subsequent offenses would be imposed but would not be surchargeable for insurance purposes.

Texting while driving would become a primary offense, meaning police can pull over motorists they suspect of texting.  All drivers under the age of 18 would be prohibited from using any type of cell phone or mobile device while driving, as is currently the law in 28 other states.

“Texting while driving is clearly unsafe, and the bill gives law enforcement the tools needed to address this important public safety issue,” said McCarthy.  “Earlier this year I voted for a prohibition on all hand-held cell phone use while driving.  While I would have preferred to see that included in this legislation, this bill does move Massachusetts in the right direction.”

Drivers age 75 and older would be required to renew their licenses in person at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and undergo a vision test every five years.  The bill permits physicians or law enforcement officers to report, with civil liability protections, to the Registry when they believe an operator is not physically or medically capable of driving safely.