Distracted Driving Enforcement Planned In Maryland April 8

MARYLAND — Law enforcement in Maryland and across the country will conduct a four-hour national distracted driving initiative Thursday, April 8, to show a commitment to enforcing texting laws, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Maryland, using a handheld cell phone and texting are primary offenses that can result in someone being pulled over.

For writing, sending or resending a text or electronic message, drivers can face a $70 fine and one point on their license, according to the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

Those under 18 can have their license suspended for using their cell phones while driving.

Drivers in Maryland who cause a serious or fatal crash while using a cell phone can get up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine, following the passage of "Jake's Law" in 2014.

These are the fines for using a handheld cell phone while driving in Maryland:

• $83 for the first offense
• $110 and three points if crash is involved
• $140 for the second offense
• $160 for the third offense

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and law enforcement agencies across Maryland will be raising awareness about the danger of distracted driving.

Using cell phones and texting are the leading causes of distracted driving. State transportation officials say distracted driving contributes to 58 percent of all crashes in Maryland.

Distracted driving is defined as any activity that diverts attention from the road, including talking or texting on the phone; eating and drinking; and adjusting the stereo, entertainment or navigation systems, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.

When drivers are distracted, they can unknowingly drift into dangerous behavior such as driving in more than one lane, following too closely or not slowing down to avoid a crash, according to police.

More than 26,000 people are injured and 181 people die each year statewide due to distracted driving, according to the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

Here are some tips to avoid distracted driving, provided by safety officials:

• Pull over to send or receive texts.
• Keep the phone in the trunk if you can't resist looking at it.
• Designate a passenger, if you have one, to handle texts while you are driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a campaign called U Drive. U Text. U Pay. to raise awareness about the dangers of texting behind the wheel. In particular, officers will saturate roads looking for distracted drivers April 8 to 12.