CPD participating in statewide texting crackdown
By Canton CitizenThe Canton Police Department has joined 191 eligible Massachusetts law enforcement agencies in the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay. mobilization to crack down on motorists who text while driving.
The campaign, which combines traditional and innovative enforcement strategies, is funded by a federal grant administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/HSD) from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The mobilization began on April 10 and will continue through May 1.
“Driving and texting is illegal and irresponsible,” said Deputy Chief Helena Rafferty. “People who break our state’s texting law will be stopped and fined. If you drive and text, you will pay.”
Texting while driving was outlawed in Massachusetts effective September 30, 2010. Adult drivers who write, send, or read electronic messages or browse the Internet while driving face a $100 fine for a first offense — even if the vehicle is stopped in traffic. Juvenile operators are entirely prohibited from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving, including to make phone calls. The fine for a juvenile first offense is $100 and includes a 60-day license suspension and requires completion of a driver attitudinal course.
These costly violations underscore the danger inherent in the use of electronic devices while driving. Nationally in 2013, there were 3,154 people killed and an estimated 424,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute’s 2012 “Teen Driver Distraction Study,” 25 percent of teens respond to a text message at least once every time they drive. Twenty percent of teens and 10 percent of parents admit that they have multi-message text conversations while driving.
“Texting and driving requires motorists to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off the task of driving,” said Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz. “It creates the proverbial ‘perfect storm’ for a crash, and no one has the right to put another person’s life at risk like that.”
“It’s not that complicated: if you text and drive, we will see you, pull you over, and fine you,” said Rafferty. “We’re serious about enforcing texting laws.”
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=29219
Posted by Canton Citizen
on Apr 23 2015. Filed under News, Police & Fire.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
