Maine Bans Texting While Driving
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Governor Paul LePage has approved a bill that prohibits text-messaging while driving in Maine. With the Governor’s signature, Maine becomes the 33rd state to make texting while driving illegal and takes a crucial step towards fighting the national epidemic of distracted driving.
The law, which was unanimously passed by the Senate and House in May 2011, is expected to take effect in September, or 90 days after the current legislative session ends.
The minimum fine for texting while driving is set at $100.
In 2009, Maine lawmakers passed a distracted driving law that targets motorists who are engaged in various forms of distracted behavior. Under this law, drivers who commit traffic violations such as running red lights or stop signs can be cited for distracted driving if a police officer believes that to be the cause of the infraction.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction
- Of those killed in 2009 distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction
At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we see firsthand the effects and devastation of distracted driving accidents and would like to remind Mainers to put their cell phones away while operating a motor vehicle – it’s now the law.
For more information and statistics on distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov, an official U.S. Government website.
The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein - Maine Lawyers Working For Maine People.
