Texting and driving is illegal in most states, but did you know that the penalties are as significant as they are in Massachusetts? A singular $100 fine is imposed for any instance of texting and driving in Massachusetts upon a first offense. For second and third offenses, the fines increase to $250 and $500.
You may not think that texting and driving is very serious, but it is actually one of the most dangerous distractions on the roads. That’s why the state imposes harsh financial penalties on those who violate the anti-texting-and-driving laws.
Massachusetts banned texting and driving in 2010
Texting and driving has long been known as a risk-factor in crashes in the state, which is why it was banned in 2010. Since then, additional laws have been put into place, such as the state’s 2020 hands-free law.
Today, it’s against the law to operate any motor vehicle while using an electronic device unless it’s able to be used hands-free. For those 18 and under, no electronic device use is allowed at any time.
Like the texting-and-driving law, the fines are $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second and $500 for a third.
Texting and cellphone use increases the risk of crashing
Did you know that around 660,000 drivers use their cellphones when operating their vehicle at any time throughout the day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration? The AAA also found that around one out of every four teens admitted to sending at least a single text while driving.
Texting and driving is extremely dangerous and leads to severe or fatal collisions every day. In the last year of data available, 401 people in the United States were killed in crashes related to texting and driving.
Even with today’s safe driving technology, it’s not safe to be texting behind the wheel. For those who are involved in collisions, it’s possible to hold drivers accountable for causing crashes if those drivers were using a device that they shouldn’t have been. Distractions harm people every day, so victims do have a right to hold people responsible for negligence behind the wheel.
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