Starting on Sunday February 23, 2020, drivers will not be able to use their phones while driving, with the exception of using apps for navigations (ex. Apple maps, Google maps) or making an emergency call on the road. This makes a lot of sense even when Gov. Charlie Baker ranks Massachusetts as one of the worst states in distracted driving and felt that hands-free driving law for everyone on the roads is much needed and will save more lives.
According to the Mass State police, the main reasons for major collisions on the road is distracted driving. There has been thousands of call made to the state 911's call center each year. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/D6HAAJGA0sw
Here are some Dos and Don'ts for driving on the road:
Do:
1. Use the phone for navigational purposes similar to a GPS, such as Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps
2. Use the phone to call 911 in case of an emergency
3.Activate hands-free mode by swiping
4.Use the phone in speaker mode or with bluetooth headset (one side of the ears only)
Don'ts:
1. Use the phone to make or answer calls unless it's hands-free/bluetooth
2. Use the phone to text messages to people. It REALLY can wait.
3.Use the phone to look at photos and videos. It ALSO can wait.
4.Use your phone at the stoplight, unless the vehicles is in stationary (which means putting it in park, neutral, or simply just turning it off, and putting emergency lights on if the car is in a breakdown lane) and is in a area free of active traveling (cars moving on the road).
Anyone under the age of 18 cannot use the phone in any way possible. This also means not using the phone to navigate around Massachusetts roads or make emergency calls.
If you break those rules above, there is a likely chance you will get pulled over by police of any kind whether if its state or city/town police. If you are caught doing those, they will just give you a warning and educate you on how dangerous distracted driving via phone can possibly be. After April 1, they will slap you with a hefty fine as usual, but with heavier penalties for any further offenses. The fine is the following:
-$100 for the first offense, no surchargeable event is applied to the driving record (a 60-day license suspension will also happen if the driver is under 18)
-$250 for the second offense, no surchargeable event is applied to the driving record, however the driver will have to attend a distracted driving class (a 180-day license suspension will also happen if the driver is under 18)
-$500 for third offense onwards, a surchargeable event is applied, and will have to attend a distracted driving class as well as any additional classes a driver has to take (ex. defensive driving course), license suspension is also possible for anyone under 18, but probably longer than 180 days.
Just Drive and don't get distracted.
According to GHSA, 21 states, D.C, Guam, and Puerto Rico already have hands-free driving laws in the United States including similar laws to MA in Illinois and Georgia. You can check out the chart here: https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/DistractedDrivingLawChart-FEB20_0.pdf
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