MA Driving Laws
Since 2010, texting while driving in Massachusetts has been prohibited. However, motorists behind the wheel continue to pick up and use their phones. Even if we think that checking our texts quickly while driving is harmless, the threat of accident and injury is still very real. Whether you’re driving on Route #16 through Sherborn or the back roads of Dover, it’s important not to be distracted while driving. To help you understand the risk and penalties that texting while driving holds, read on to learn about the related texting and driving stats.
Tickets Issued
During the year that the law was enacted, we had expected to see the number of tickets issued to be high as people were just getting used to the new law, along with an overall decrease in the number of tickets issued over time. However, this has not been the case. When in September 2010, the law came into effect, the total number of tickets issued in that year was 274. Since then, this number has seen a steady increase, with the number of tickets issued being 1153 in 2011, 3399 in 2013 and 6131 in 2015.
Researchers found that men are more prone to committing driving offenses than women. Additionally, white drivers make up for 77.4 percent of the tickets issued. Drivers under 30 also represent the majority of citations. Lastly, the maximum number of tickets were issued between 3 and 6 p.m.
What is the Fine for a First Texting While Driving Offense?
The penalties are steep for texting and driving in Massachusetts, and for a good reason, too. Even just a couple of seconds of distracted driving can result in accidents and injuries. For the first offense of texting while driving in Massachusetts, a $100 fine is imposed. For the second offense, it is $250, and $500 for the third. What’s more, your auto insurance rates can increase at the next renewal period, costing you even more money over the years.
As if the financial penalties weren’t high enough, consider these statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2016 alone, 3,450 people were killed and in 2015, 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. During daylight hours, approximately 481,000 drivers were found using cell phones while driving. Hence, texting while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. Is a text really worth putting your life and others’ at risk?
Work with a company dedicated to securing the quality auto insurance that you and your vehicle needs and deserves. Contact the professionals at CAV Insurance, located in Wellesley, MA.