DESPITE law enforcement officials’ best efforts, distracted drivers have continued to rack up tickets at an alarming rate.
Now, officials in one state are vowing to crack down on illegal driving habits, and letting drivers know this is their final warning.
Massachusetts launched its distracted driving law on February 23, 2020.
The law, dubbed Hands-Free While Driving, prohibits drivers from using an electronic device, including cell phones, unless the device is being used in hands-free mode.
However, according to officials who oversee and enforce the state’s driving laws, drivers have largely ignored the law.
The state issued more than 37,000 violations in the first seven months of the year to drivers who were using cell phones, smartwatches, or other tech devices while behind the wheel.
However, most distracted drivers faced little to no consequences for their actions, with law enforcement typically letting off most drivers with a warning.
In April, which coincided with Hands-Free Awareness Month, violations soared.
Throughout the month, Massachusetts State Police“cracked down” on distracted drivers, deploying additional law enforcement personnel throughout the state in high-traffic areas.
That month, drivers received “2,241 civil citations, 2525 criminal citations, and 9,586 warnings,” as reported by the Sentinel & Enterprise.
“You’ll notice this large spike in warnings, which brings the total very much higher,” Merit Rating Board Director Sonja Singleton told board members.
The Merit Rating Board is a division of the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
“We see this year over year as it relates to distracted driving,” Singleton added.
So far this year, distracted driving violations have made up only a small fraction of driving violations overall.
697,000 violations were issued between January and July, as reported by the State House News Service.
The monthly average, which amounts to around 99,500 violations, reflects an upward trend compared to the year before.
Hands-free while driving
Massachusetts law prohibits drivers from using any electronic device, including cell phones, unless the device is in hands-free mode.
The Hands-Free law went into effect on February 23, 2020.
Drivers who are 18 and over:
- Can only use electronic devices and cell phones in hands-free mode
- Are only permitted to touch devices to activate hands-free mode
- Cannot hold, touch, or support any electronic device or phone
- Are not allowed to touch phones or devices for texting, emailing, calling, using apps, playing videos, choosing music, etc.
Drivers who are under 18 are not allowed to use any electronic devices, including in hands-free mode.
Penalties for violating the hands-free law:
- First offense: $100 fine
- Second offense: $250 fine, plus the mandatory completion of a distracted driving educational program
- Third, and any future offenses: $500 fine, plus the mandatory completion of a distracted driving educational program, plus an insurance surcharge
For more information on the Hands-Free law, visit the Massachusetts State Police Public Information page.
Officials issued 1.08 million in 2023, averaging around 90,000 monthly violations.
Still, despite officials issuing fewer violations to distracted drivers compared to other offenses, like speeding or failing to stop or yield, distracted driving has major consequences.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 12% of fatal crashes in Massachusetts between 2015 and 2019 involved distracted driving.
And, while officials have largely issued warnings to drivers who disobey the law, they’re now being encouraged to issue citations and enforce penalties for violators.
Penalties for violating the hands-free law vary.
First time offenders will be stuck with a $100 fine.
Violators pulled over for distracted driving for the second time will have to pay a $250 fine, plus complete a mandatory distracted driving educational program.
And, drivers who are pulled over for violating the hands-free law for a third time – or all future offenses – will be dealt the most severe blow.
Not only will they have to pay a $500 fine and partake in the mandatory distracted driving class, but they’ll also be stuck with insurance surcharges.
Drivers should also take note of the state’s new e-citation system.
Previously, drivers who did end up receiving citations for distracted driving may have had those tickets “fall through the bureaucratic cracks.”
Today, 305 of 351 municipal police departments in Massachusetts are using e-citation systems, according to Singleton.
Over a dozen more departments are also set to install similar technologies, thereby lessening their reliance on paper citations.
This transition will also eliminate any chance of misplacing, destroying, or otherwise losing a violation’s paper trail.
It’s been years since the hands-free law went into effect, and officials are warning drivers that feigning ignorance won’t get them out of a ticket anymore.
And, officials say, avoiding a distracted driving ticket is simple – just keep your hands off of your devices – and your eyes on the road – when you’re the one behind the wheel.