Massachusetts Police Crackdown on Texting While Driving Starts Today

Arlington, MA - The state's Public Highway Safety Division launches a statewide effort Friday to combat crashes, fatalities and injuries from distracted driving through a series of special patrols meant to catch drivers texting behind the wheel.

Police will use crash, injury and fatality data to deploy the highly visible patrols, according to a press release from the highway safety division. The show of force starts Friday, and runs through the end of April, which Gov. Charlie Baker has formally dubbed "Distracted Driving Awareness Month."

Massachusetts law prohibits adult drivers from writing, sending or reading text messages, interacting with apps or browsing the internet while driving or stopped at a light or in traffic. That goes double for teens. Drivers under 18 are prohibited entirely from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving. Fines can be as much as $500, and teen drivers could lose their license for up to one year.

Distracted driving fatalities in Massachusetts are highest among adults age 45-64 and 75 or older, according to the highway safety patrol. From 2014 – 2015, pedestrian fatalities increased 26 percent, the press release said. Nationally one out of ten drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes.

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