MOBILE PHONES, TEXTING, AND MORE (CHAPTER 155 OF THE ACTS OF 2010 - AN ACT RELATIVE TO SAFE DRIVING) (CONDENSED BY BPD)
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30, 2010, THE FOLLOWING CHANGES (CONDENSED) TO MASSSACHUSETTS LAWS RELATIVE TO SAFE DRIVING BECOME EFFECTIVE:
1. USE OF A MOBILE PHONE OR ELECTRONIC DEVICE BY A MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR WHO IS UNDER 18 IS PROHIBITED. THE LAW COVERS ANY MOBILE PHONE, INCLUDING A HANDS-FREE DEVICE, AND ANY MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING A TEXTING DEVICE, PDA, PAGER, LAPTOP, VIDEO GAMES AND DIGITAL CAMERAS, ETC. ONLY EXCEPTION: EMERGENCY USE FOR A DISABLED VEHICLE OR ACCIDENT, MEDICAL/POLICE/EMERGENCY SERVICE NEED.
2. MOBILE PHONE USE OR TEXTING BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPERATOR IS PROHIBITED; INCLUDES HANDS FREE DEVICES. USE PERMITTED BY WRITTEN JOB GUIDELINES AND/OR FOR EMERGENCIES.
3. MOBILE PHONE USE BY AN ADULT MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR WITHOUT HAVING AT LEAST ONE HAND ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS PROHIBITED.
4. TEXTING WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE IS PROHIBITED; INCLUDES MANUALLY COMPOSING, READING, OR SENDING AN ELECTRONIC MESSAGE. INCLUDES PERFORMING ANY OF THESE ACTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STOPPED ON THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY.
5. NEGLIGENT OPERATION AND INJURY FROM MOBILE PHONE USE CHARGES MAY BE LEVIED AGAINST ANY OPERATOR WHO USED A MOBILE PHONE AS A MINOR, USED A MOBILE PHONE OR TEXTED AS A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPERATOR, SENT/RECEIVED A TEXT AND SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE NEGLIGENTLY SO THAT THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC WERE ENDANGERED; AND CAUSED INJURY TO SOME OTHER PERSON, VEHICLE, OR PROPERTY.
6. REQUIRES MANDATORY IN-PERSON LICENSE RENEWALS FOR DRIVERS 75 AND OLDER AND ESTABLISHES A NEW PROCEDURE TO REQUEST MEDICAL EVALUATION OF A MOTORIST WHO POLICE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BELIEVE IS INCAPABLE OF THE SAFE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.
MASSACHUSETTS NEW "MOVE OVER" LAW - M.G.L. CH.89, SEC. 7C
WHEN AN EMERGENCY OR MAINTENANCE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, MOVE OVER TO THE NEXT LANE OR SLOW DOWN IF CHANGING LANES IS NOT POSSIBLE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN A FINE. SHOW ROAD RESPECT AND PLEASE OBEY ALL TRAFFIC SAFETY LAWS.
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