Augusta, maine governor mills signed a bill into law making maine a handsfree state behind the wheel. Distracted driving could leave you responsible for a crash in which other people could be hurt or even killed. As used in maines distracted driving laws, to operate a vehicle means driving on a. Maine lawmakers celebrated the passage of ld165, a bill that bans distracted driving in the state. Ricci cote stopped jared girardin 27 of auburn, on lisbon street in lewiston by the entrance to the turnpike. A maine state police trooper watches a distracted driver july 15 on interstate 95 in west gardiner. Maine has similar restrictions for adults, who may not text and drive while behind the wheel. Texting carries the most penalties for driving distracted, as almost all states have a ban, penalty or some form of enforcement against it. Maine has enacted several law relating to distracted driving. Legislature passes bill to prohibit use of handheld phones while driving. Maine defines distracted driving as operating a motor vehicle while engaging in an activity that is not necessary to the operation of the vehicle. The personal injury law firm of siegfried and jensen conducted an analysis to understand how states nationwide have implemented laws to regulate distracted driving to. Effective september 19, 2019, it will become illegal for a driver to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents leading to injury and even death.
In maine, learners permit holders and drivers under 18 with an intermediate license are banned from using any kind of wireless communication device while driving, including all handheld and handsfree cell phones and. If you refuse a test, you will lose your license for at. Because the cdcs distracted driving facts reveal that texting is one of the most dangerous distractions drivers face, most legislation in ohio focuses on texting behind the wheel. This means an operator of a motor vehicle that is under the age. The new law will generally prohibit drivers in maine from using handheld phones and devices while driving. In maine, learners permit holders and drivers under 18 with an intermediate license are banned from using any kind of wireless communication device while driving, including all handheld and handsfree cell phones and text messaging devices. Maines distracted driving law clarified wvii fox bangor. Below is information regarding laws in the state of maine. Distracted driving laws address the three main groups of distractions, including visual, manual and cognitive distractions. Even if you are not guilty of this habit, you should be aware of what the law says and how it can impact you if you are involved in an accident with someone else who is. This includes using mobile devices to surf the internet, talk, text, or chat.
Laws on distracted driving in massachusetts are particularly stringent for novice drivers, which are motorists who are younger than 18 years of age. When it comes to distracted driving, state laws are not. Maine defines distracted driving as operating a motor vehicle while engaging in an activity that is not necessary to the operation of the vehicle and that actually impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair, the ability of the person to safely operate the vehicle. They say the handsfree bill will help that problem. Distracted driving laws by state updated february 2020. Legislature passes bill requiring drivers to use hands. Augusta, maine wabi a bill aimed at curbing distracted driving is going through the legislature. Exceptions are made for communicating with law enforcement or emergency. Texting and driving laws are different in every state, and so are the penalties associated with them. Texting while driving faq maine law against texting and. Maine lawmakers celebrated the passage of ld165, a bill that bans distracted driving. The zero tolerance law if you are under 21 years of age, maine has a special law for you.
Maine s tougher new distracted driving ban in effect a new maine law that prohibits the use of handheld phones and other devices while driving is now in effect. The new law adds restrictions to the states rules against distracted driving. Maine handsfree driving law effective september 19, 2019. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney. The new law prohibits the use of handheld phones and devices while driving. Texting and driving fines encompass the highest distracted driving fines amongst all the. These data were collected prior to that law becoming effective. Starting thursday, a new law goes into effect in maine that bans the use of handheld cellphones while driving, and strictly limits the use of.
Jenasa staples, staff writer a new distracted driving law is going into effect sept. Maine laws on distracted driving prohibit any novice driver, which encompasses those who hold a learners permit or an intermediate license, from using any handheld device. Drivers under 18 are subject to a complete ban on cell phone and mobile electronic device use. Distracted driving and texting are already illegal, but supporters say it is very difficult for police to catch someone texting. As used in maine s distracted driving laws, to operate a vehicle means driving on a public way with the motor running. New distracted driving law wont change police details in. If police officers see hands anywhere besides the wheel, they will have the right to pull drivers over. Starting thursday, a new law goes into effect in maine that bans the use of hand held cellphones while driving, and strictly limits the use of. Seatbelt enforcement is concidered primary, meaning you can be pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. Bill diamond, dwindham, tightens state rules prohibiting texting while driving that have been in place since 2011. Governor mills signs bill to ban handheld phones and. They are banned from all cell phone use while driving. As a result, the bill did not become law and the distracted driver statute continues to be the law in maine.
Janet mills signed emergency legislation late last week that made technical changes to the states distracted driving law. Your guide to maines distracted driving laws trusted choice. After hours of practice driving, you can see how a person wouldnt be able to text and drive safely at the same time. Maine readies for distracted driving law qrz forums. Maine already has a law on the books that bans texting while driving, including instant messaging and sending emails, and another that prohibits drivers. Solo driving and smart choices should go hand in hand dont jeopardize safety now that youre driving on your own. For purposes of the underage distracted driving law, a handheld electronic device includes all electronics that arent a part of the operating equipment of the vehicle. The law amends the existing statute prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving, changes the language to clarify the fine amounts and exempts ham radio operators. Virgin islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving. If you or someone you love has suffered harm at the hands of a distracted driver, finding a skilled maine car accident lawyer is the first step in securing the financial compensation you will likely need to begin the process of recovery. Maines tougher new distracted driving ban in effect. Massachusetts signed a bill last month that bans drivers from holding phones, and similar laws took effect in maine and florida earlier this year. Distracted driving laws in georgia georgia georgia defines distracted driving as anything that distracts you from operating a vehicle safety. Salvi was summonsed for speeding and distracted driving.
Maines oui laws explained impaired safety bureau of. Maine legislature passes bill to curb distracted driving. Maine motor vehicle statutes title 29a s2116 says a person who has not attained 18 years of age. What you need to know about maine distracted driving law. If maine had enacted the new bill, it would have joined new hampshire, vermont, connecticut, rhode island and about a dozen other states in prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving. The law bans such drivers from utilizing any cell phone while driving, whether it is being used in conjunction with a handfree or handheld device. In 90 days, maine will establish rules similar to new hampshire, that prevent people from holding and using their cellphones or other mobile devices while driving. Augusta, maine ap police officials in maine say theyll more likely be issuing warnings, rather than tickets, for the first few months after a new law takes effect to crack down on distracted driving. All are primary enforcement laws an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cellphone without any other. He was under the influence of intoxicants and put through a battery of field sobriety tests. To combat the epidemic, states across the country have implemented laws targeting distracted driving habits. Novice drivers are those drivers younger than 18 years of age. The law must not provide for an exemption to allow texting while stopped in traffic.
Click here to access the mmtas distracted driving pledge operation safe driver defeating distracted driving cvsa presentation at 20 mmtaapta transportation safety conference fmcsa and phmsa issue final rule prohibiting handheld use of cellular phones fmcsa and phmsa have published a joint final rule restricting cmv interstate drivers and intrastate hazmat drivers. Portland, maine ap a new maine law that prohibits the use of handheld phones and other devices while driving is now in effect, and police will be keeping an eye out for violations starting thursday. Booster seat laws are included within the broader law, since booster seats are considered to be federallyapproved child restraint systems. Nhtsas campaigns and public service announcements make the case to americans that safe driving means driving without distractions. Its supported by law enforcement because you can actually see they are engaging in the behavior. Be it enacted by the people of the state of maine as follows. People in maine, as elsewhere, are cutting corners by texting while driving, often with disastrous results. Distracted driving distracted driving is dangerous. The textingwhiledriving restriction applies to reading and manually composing electronic communications, including instant messages, emails. The departments commercial vehicle unit is scrutinizing drivers across maine for distracted driving this week as part of a nationwide effort.
Ghsa maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Maine distracted driving laws focus on novice drivers and a ban on texting for all drivers. In maine, distracted driving is listed as a category on police crash report forms. What youre allowed to do under maines new distracted driving. It is important for every driver in maine who will be transporting a child passenger to understand these laws, even nonresidents and even if you are not the parent of a child. It is important to remember that even if states do not have laws directly related to distracted driving. Nhtsa leads the fight nationally against distracted driving by educating americans about its dangers and partnering with the states and local police to enforce laws against distracted driving that help keep us safe. New distracted driving law in maine the free press. Maine, which already has laws against distracted driving and texting while driving, would join 15 other states that have. If you are found operating, or attempting to operate, a motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in your body, you will lose your license for one year.
Connecticut also has a general law against distracted driving, prohibiting drivers from engaging in any activity not related to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in. For more information, consult the state highway safety office. Read about the laws specifics, including the penalties for a texting or cellphone ticket. Primary law prohibiting youth under age 18 from using cell phone while driving, with minimum fine and increased fines for subsequent violations, and requiring distracted driving issues to be included in the state driver s license exam. This law is more enforceable, said pat moody of maine aaa.
In an effort to stem the increase in accidents and fatalities resulting from distracted driving, an act to prohibit the use of handheld phones and devices while driving, pl 2019, c. Drivers novice drivers drivers alabama 16, or 17 w intermediate license driver ban yes primary primary alaska yes covered under all driver ban yes primary arizona yes primary yes driver ban yes primary arkansas 1 18. At the least, you could end up with a traffic ticket. Statewide wgme maines new handsfree driving law could get an. Maines distracted driving laws prohibit text messaging for all drivers and talking on a cellphone for only certain drivers. Maine motor vehicle statutes title 29a s2116 says a person who has not attained 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone or handheld electronic device. Diamond said distracted driving is a problem in parking lots, where.
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