Gov. Charlie Baker, flanked by lawmakers and transportation officials, signed a bill into law in November banning all handheld electronics use behind the wheel except when hands-free mode is enabled. (CHRIS LISINSKI/SHNS)
WESTFIELD – Massachusetts drivers must be “hands-free” while driving beginning Feb. 23 as a new distracted driving law kicks into effect.
The law banning use of electronic devices while driving when not in hands-free mode was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker in November. Westfield Mayor Donald F. Humason Jr. backed this bill while in the State Senate and said it’s overdue.
“Hands-free has been a long time coming on the roads in Massachusetts but it’s finally here and ready to be enforced,” said Humason. “It won’t be easy to change the behavior we’ve all become so accustomed to seeing — motorists using their cell phones and other electronic devices while driving instead of paying complete attention to operating their motor vehicles safely. But today everyone has their own ‘near-miss’ story where they can describe how they were nearly in an accident with someone using their phones while driving.”
Humason knows the dangers of distracted driving firsthand. His truck was struck from behind on his way into Boston one morning by a motorist who admitted to the State Police that he had been looking at his GPS instead of paying attention to the road, Humason said. That accident damaged both Humason’s knees and his lower back.
“I’m fortunate because it could have been far worse. We were lucky that nobody was killed,” Humason said.
State Police are increasing their presence on roadways beginning this weekend to enforce the law and Westfield Police Sgt. Juanita Mejias said city police will focus on education as well as enforcement.
Mejias said when there is enough personnel, police presence will increase to enforce the law.
“From Feb. 23-March 31, we will be making motor vehicle stops and educating people about the law,” she said.
After March 31, Mejias said officers will use their discretion when stopping a motorist for using a phone while driving and could fine drivers.
“It’s $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second, plus completion of a mandatory distracted driving education program, and $500 for a subsequent, it goes on the driver’s insurance and completion of the mandatory class,” Mejias said.
For Westfield Police, the education and safety of residents is the focus.
“We want everyone to make it home at the end of the day,” she said.
