Massachusetts Legislature votes to ban the use of handheld phones while driving.

Distracted drivers consider yourself warned.

How many times have you witnessed someone driving right through a Stop sign because they are looking straight down at their phone?  Or what about driving behind someone on 93 and the person in front of you all over expressway because they’re on the phone?  Well, the Massachusetts Legislature has passed a bill to ban the use of handheld phones while driving.

Violating the law would be punishable by a $100 fine for a first offense, $250 fine for a second offense and $500 fine for a third or subsequent offense. You’re first offense, you’ll get off with a warning.  Don’t worry, a ticket would not result in an insurance surcharge.

This process has been going on since 2017.  The new bill was created by a House-Senate conference committee.  The compromise comes after the House and Senate passed very different versions of the bill this spring.  Legislators were concerned about both distracted driving and racial profiling.

Now the bill goes to Governor Charlie Baker for his signature which would make it a law. (Remember School House Rock?)  The law would take effect 90 days after being signed.

You can learn more about the bill here.