Will Safe Driving Bill Make Local Streets Safer?

State lawmakers today passed the Safe Driving Act to make local roads safer. But locally, Marblehead has been ahead of the curve for months. 

This morning, the Senate unanimously passed the bill, which now goes to the governor's desk for his signature. The House gave its approval earlier this week in a 150 to 1 vote.

During May's Town Meeting, Marblehead voters unanimously called for action against texting and e-mailing while driving. That plan, brought to the voters by the selectmen is still in the process of being made town law at the state's Attorney General's office. 

"Marblehead was really ahead," Police Chief Robert Picariello said. "They saw a need and had it at Town Meeting after starting the warrant months before. It passed at Town Meeting and we're really ahead of the state."

Today's vote on Beacon Hill made the road to ban texting and e-mailing while driving a lot shorter.

"I supported it as a member of the Joint Committee on Transportation," Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, said. "I was involved in a lot of the preliminary work of passing this bill. The state bill is a little more comprehensive [than Marblehead's ban]."

If the bill is to become law, Massachusetts will become the 29th state to ban texting for all drivers and the 29th to ban all phone use for drivers under 18, according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association. The bill also allows doctors to alert the state if one of their patients may be a dangerous driver and imposes new rules on drivers over the age of 75.

The texting ban covers e-mailing, Internet searching and other activity that uses hands on a phone, laptop or handheld electronic device by anyone operating a motor vehicle. The ban applies to drivers not only while they are driving, but also while waiting at traffic lights and stop signs.

The bill will also require drivers 75 years old and older to renew their licenses in person and take an eye test every five years.

"Anything that keeps drivers' attention on the road is great," Picariello said. "It provides another tool for the police to use to try to make the roads safer."

Picariello said his department will enforce the law, should it pass, like any other -- by issuing citations. Once in effect, police will be able to stop vehicles primarily for a violation of the law though violators would not be subject to an insurance surcharge.

Texting and talking on a cell phone would still be allowed by a driver in an emergency or when the car is pulled over and parked alongside a street.

"The fines are also different [than the proposed Marblehead plan]," Ehrlich said noting the state fines are much higher. 

The state bill, which is expected to by signed by Gov. Deval Patrick shortly, will take precedence over the town ban currently pending. 

"I supported an amendment attached to the bill, which would have required hands-free devices," Ehrlich said. "It would have been more comprehensive and gone beyond texting. I'm disappointed that didn't make it in there."

Ehrlich said she believes the state law will make all roads safer.

"Cell phones are a part of our daily existence," she said. "It's very hard to be in a car and not be tempted by the distraction. Often I'll see people weaving around on the road and when I pull up alongside them they are distracted on the phone. It's a matter of public safety."