Don't Text And Drive!
August 25, 2010 Mass DOT Reminder: Safe Driving Law
The Safe Driving Law became effective in Massachusetts on September 30, 2010. The law creates a series of new violations. A summary of the violations is available after the break.
1. Ch 90/8M- Use of a Mobile Phone or Mobile Electronic Device by a Junior Operator
Civil Offense- No Surcharge
(Mobile electronic device includes mobile telephone, text messaging device, paging device, PDA, laptop computer, electronic equipment capable of playing video games or video disks or can take/transmit digital photographs or can receive a television broadcast. Mobile electronic device does not include any equipment permanently or temporarily installed to provide navigation, emergency assistance or rear seat video entertainment. Reporting an emergency is the only exception. Drivers are encouraged to pull over and stop the vehicle to report the emergency.)
1st offense-$100, 60 day license suspension & attitudinal course
2nd offense-$250, 180 day suspension
3rd or subs offense-$500, 1 year suspension
2. Use of a Mobile Phone by a Public Transport Motor Vehicle Operator Civil Offense-No insurance surcharge
$500 assessment each offense
3. Use of a Mobile Phone by a Public Transport Non-Motor Vehicle Operator Civil Offense-No insurance surcharge (MBTA Trolley)
$500 assessment each violation
4. Improper Use of a Mobile Phone by Operators 18 and Over
Civil Offense-No insurance surcharge
(One hand must be on the steering wheel at all times and no use of device can interfere with driving)
1st offense-$35 assessment
2nd offense in 12 months-$75 assessment
3rd offense in 12 months-$150 assessment
5. Sending/Reading Text Messages
Civil Offense-No insurance surcharge (Operators cannot use any mobile telephone or handheld device capable of accessing the Internet to write, send, or read an electronic message including text messages, emails, and instant messages or to access the Internet while operating a vehicle. Law applies even if the vehicle is stopped in traffic.)
1st offense-$100
2nd offense-$250
3rd or subs offense-$500
6. Negligent Operation & Injury from Mobile Phone Use
Criminal Offense- Insurance surcharge
JOL Suspensions
1st offense-180-day suspension
2nd or subsequent offense within 3 years-1 year suspension
$500 reinstatement fee
Over-18 suspensions
1st offense-60-day suspension
2nd or subsequent offense within 3 years-1 year suspension
$500 reinstatement fee
Please see http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2010/08/rmv-reminder-safe-driving-law-.html for complete article and information
