Mass. House Approves Texting Ban For Drivers

By The Associated Press
Feb 4, 2010, 6:05 PM
4 Comments

BOSTON — House lawmakers are backing a plan to dramatically restrict the use of cell phones by Massachusetts drivers.

The amendment, which would ban all cell phones except hands-free models with voice-activated dialing, was attached to a larger bill designed to crack down on distracted drivers by banning texting while driving and prohibiting the use of cell phones by drivers under 18.

The House approved the bill on a 146-to-9 vote.

The bill also requires vision tests for drivers over 75 and allows doctors to report to the Registry of Motor Vehicles the names of patients they feel can no longer safely drive.

The legislation responds to growing public anger about a surge in the number of drivers taking their eyes off the road to send or receive text messages.

The bill now heads to the state Senate.

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Diego Mas

It’s about time. Drivers who use their cell phones while driving have no consideration for other drivers and are often oblivious to their surroundings. This in effect is a recipe for disaster.
Liz

So, wait, I won’t even be able to text at stoplights? I’m kidding. I recognize that this is how many outraged teens and many adults might perhaps feel upon the ban going into place. It seems like it is something the individual should have control over. But just like drinking and driving, it’s not really a right to be a distracted, reckless, oblivious driver. On another note–I recently heard an elderly man bragging to his friends after a orchestra performance downtown, how he had driven into Boston that day, and how the RMV didn’t even test his vision this year, and he knew there was no way he should be driving, but he slipped through the cracks for another few years. His friends all laughed and shared similar stories.
I pray that the senate will pass this bill to keep our streets safer for everyone.
Rudolf

The ban should be extended to cover use of a cell ‘phone by the driver, whether hands-free or not. Talking on a ‘phone is a distraction to driving. It is not like talking to a passenger who has situational awareness. I’ve witnessed a rear ending on a highway by a driver talking on a cell ‘phone and have had to take evasive action twice to avoid cars drivien with oblivion by cell ‘phone talkers. Talking on the ‘phone is a greater risk to driving safety than drunk driving.
Bill Mirra

My kids……. one texts while driving the other has to be talking on the cell while driving, I just can’t wait to say,”Girls it is against the law.” Oh I think all car(suv,p/u, ect.) drivers should be wearing helmets. Yes…… Really

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