Think texting and driving is a thing of the past here in Maine?  Think again.

In the past six months, Maine State Police have cited more than 1,080 drivers for distracted driving.  Of those cited, 429 were texting while driving.

Texting on a mobile device while driving is illegal in Maine and if you're caught while doing it you'll receive a $310 fine for the first offense.

Col. Robert Williams, State Police Chief, said that his department has recently received a $300,000 federal grant to help out with distracted driving enforcement.  Troopers will be out in marked and unmarked vehicles on the lookout for drivers who are not paying attention to the road.

 

Last week, the Legislature’s Transportation Committee voted 7-6 to oppose a bill submitted that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving here in Maine. There are currently 14 states in the country that do ban the use of cell phones while driving.

In my experience of driving up and down Route 1A everyday, I would vote to make talking on a hand held cell just as illegal as texting.  I can't tell you how many times a vehicle as started to make its way into my driving lane while the driver was talking on the phone. It's scary stuff!

Later this Spring, the Maine House and Senate will get the chance to pass the bill and make Maine’s roads safer.

 

 

 

 

 

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