Hands Off: MA Distracted Driving Law Begins This Weekend

NEWTON, MA — The state's new distracted driving law takes effect this weekend, making it illegal to give your phone anything more than a quick swipe while driving.

The hands-free law, signed by Gov. Charlie Baker in November, takes effect Sunday, Feb. 23. Offenders will get a warning until March 31, then fines of $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second and $500 for subsequent violations. Multiple offenses will force drivers to complete a training program, while anything after the second violation could mean your auto insurance goes up.

"We all have some behavior change to do," Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said Thursday morning at Newton police headquarters.

Drivers are limited to a single tap or swipe to use the phone's hands-free mode. The phone will have to be mounted to the dashboard or windshield to use navigation. Even picking up the phone in traffic or at a red light is not be permitted.

Anyone under 18 is not be allowed to use a phone at all while driving.

>>>MA Hands-Free Driving Law: 5 Things To Know

State police will have added troopers on the roads focusing on distracted driving. Law enforcement said the new law will go a long way.

"It's simple, it's clear, it's easy to understand," Newton Police Chief David MacDonald said. "I don't have any doubt that this law is going to mitigate the amount of injuries and potential tragedies that are a part of distracted driving."

For years advocates, including those who have lost loved ones, pushed for legislation.

"It's been a very long journey and fight," Jerry Cibley, who lost his 18-year-old son Jordan in a distracted-driving crash in 2007, told Patch. "It's taken 12 1/2 years to get this through. I'm very proud that this will save lives, and we can stop the foolish fatalities."

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).