As we begin our statewide campaign to educate the driving public on the dangers of distracted driving, we would like to remind drivers of the current laws that govern the operation of an automobile.
Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 90, Section 13A states that a driver shall not allow “on or in the vehicle or on or about his person, anything which may interfere with or impede the proper operation of the vehicle or any equipment by which the vehicle is operated or controlled”. This section also states that an adult operator that is using a mobile phone must keep at least one hand on the steering wheel.
MGL Chapter 90, Section 8M states that an operator under the age of 18 is prohibited from using any mobile phone (including a hands free device), pager, laptop, video game or digital camera. That means that no one under the age of 18 should even be holding a cell phone while driving a car.
MGL Chapter 90, Section 13B states that no operator of a vehicle shall use a cell phone to manually compose, send or read an electronic message (i.e. text message) while operating a vehicle. This includes being stopped at a traffic light or stop sign.
Please keep in mind that as an operator of a motor vehicle you have a massive responsibility. You are controlling (hopefully) a large vehicle that on average weighs 4000 pounds. That is two tons of metal and plastic that does not stop whenever you want it to. We cannot successfully argue with the laws of physics. Please drive responsibly and safely. We all understand that accidents happen, however, most accidents are preventable. Driving a car is already a task that requires you to do multiple tasks at one time (i.e. scanning the road for hazards, steering the car, braking, accelerating, etc.) do not add additional ones like texting and operating video cameras.