Start Driving Hands-Free Now, MA Officials Ask Drivers

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Driving while holding a cell phone is now illegal in all New England states. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed the Massachusetts' new ban on holding a cell phone while driving on Monday.

The law won't take effect until Feb. 23. Even then there will be month-long grace period where police will give drivers warnings instead of fines. But after March 31, a first-time offender will get a $100 fine, and a second offense will net a $200 fine and a mandated safe-driving course. On a third offense, it's a $500 fine.

Under the law, drivers could still talk hands-free, like over Bluetooth or with a phone mounted on the dashboard.

During a bill signing ceremony, Baker thanked the families of people who have been killed in distracted-driving crashes for advocating for the law.

Safe Roads Alliance Emily Stein's father, Howard, became a victim in 2011. He was hit and killed by a driver who was programming her GPS. The bill signing, she pointed out, comes one week after the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

"This is not a panacea for road safety, but we all know this bill will save lives," she said.

Massachusetts held off on a handheld ban due to concerns over racial profiling. The law will require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to collect data on the race and gender of offenders.

Massachusetts does already have a ban on texting while driving. Fifteen other U.S. states and Washington, DC, have hand-held bans, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Rhode Island was the latest state to enact a ban, which went into effect in April 2018.

At the bill signing, MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack said that drivers should not wait until Feb. 23 to put down the cell phone when driving, especially around the Thanksgiving holiday.

"Put down the phone, put on your seat belt, and remember that other people's lives are in your hands," Pollack said.