Hands Free Driving Law in Massachusetts

Today we are not focused on our specialty areas of divorce, utility law, child custody, or child support. We are unsure if you are aware of the recent focus that Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has placed on a proposal that would ban handheld phones and other devices while driving. The biggest cause of accidents recently comes from distracted driving. From the linked article comes this sobering fact: “According to some reports, more Americans now are killed on our roads because of distracted driving than from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”  

In the past most people’s biggest worry on the road was being involved in a DUI or OUI accident. We are hopeful that this passes and that Massachusetts will join neighboring Rhode Island in banning handheld devices while driving.

Another part of Governor Baker’s bill  would “require anyone convicted of a first offense for operating under the influence who applies for a hardship license to use an ignition interlock device for a minimum of six months, and be subject to penalties from the Registry of Motor Vehicles for attempting to drive after drinking or tampering with the device.” We have written about hardship licenses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and will be following to see if this proposal becomes law.