Texting While Driving Ban Starts Today

Any 16- or 17-year-old caught using a cell phone while driving starting at midnight on September 30 could receive a $100 fine and a 60-day license suspension. And that's only one part of Massachusetts' new safe driving laws.

Drivers younger than 18 may not use any cell phone or mobile device, even it's hands-free, and if caught, offenders would have to complete a driving course through the National Safety Council before having their license reinstated.

For drivers older than 18 are also no longer allowed to text while driving starting at midnight all across the Commonwealth, the 29^th state to ban texting while driving. The law states reading or sending a text is banned.

Adults may be fined $100 for the first offense and $500 each offense after the first. Insurance rates would not go up if a driver were fined for texting while driving. Also under the new law, any driver who receives three or more surchargeable incidents within a two-year period will be required to take a driver retraining and safety course or possibly have their license suspended.

West Roxbury Police Captain James Hasson said E-5 officers have been given a training bulletin on the new driving laws.

"Texting while driving is the key. If you're pulled over and parked, you're not driving."

Hasson said texting while driving has not been a big problem in the Parkway, "There have been a couple of accidents through texting. It's more of a general problem statewide. Anytime you're not watching where you're going it's a problem.

He noted that the law still allows teenagers to use their cell phones in case of emergencies while driving.

According to the Massachusetts Transportation Department, there were 400 crashes in 2008 where cell phones were reported as a contributing factor.

Governor Deval Patrick signed the legislation 90 days ago and championed the new laws, "Driving while texting or using a cell phone carelessly is seriously unsafe. This law means police are going to take it seriously."

The Registry of Motor Vehicles was put in charge with getting the word out about the new laws. In the past week messages have been broadcasted on digital highway message billboards.

For detailed information about the new law is posted at www.mass.gov/rmv.

Another new driving law will require any driver age 75 or older to renew their license in person at an RMV branch or office. Seniors of 75 and older must also undergo a vision test every five years.