BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Senate is weighing a bill requiring Massachusetts motorists to put down their cellphones when they’re on the road.
A bill prohibiting the use of hand-held mobile electronic devices while driving also would make it illegal to enter information by hand into a GPS device while behind the wheel.
Motorists could still talk on their cellphones, but only with hands-free technology. Exceptions would be made for emergency situations.
The bill calls for a fine of $100 for the first violation, $250 the second time and $500 for all violations after that. Three-time offenders would be hit with an auto insurance surcharge.
Fourteen states including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York have hands-free cellphone laws.
The Senate is set to debate the bill Thursday in its first session of the new year.
How can this not be a law yet in MA. They are usually the first ones to do this stuff.