WRENTHAM POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Wrentham
Police Department to Participate in Statewide Texting
Enforcement Crackdown
Enforcement Crackdown
The Wrentham Police Department will join the 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 begins April 10, 2015 and continues
through May 1, 2015.
“Driving and texting is illegal and irresponsible. People who break our state’s texting law will
be stopped and fined. If you drive and
text, you will pay,” said Lt. George Labonte.
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 required 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% of teens respond to a text message at least
once every time they drive. 20% of teens
and 10% of parents admit that they have multi-message text conversations while
driving.
“It’s not that complicated: if you text and drive, we will
see you, pull you over, and fine you. We’re serious about enforcing texting laws and
protecting the motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who use our roadways”
said Lt. Labonte.