Maryland’s statewide program supports the national distracted driving campaign and includes a combination of targeted advertising and high-visibility enforcement in an effort to change behavior and save lives. Law enforcement will be aggressively enforcing Maryland’s handheld cell phone and texting laws during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a
person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger
and bystander safety. Because text messaging requires visual, manual and
cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far one of the most alarming
distractions.
“Texting or using your phone while driving is extremely dangerous. It creates a crash risk up to 23 times higher and puts people’s lives in jeopardy. Law enforcement officers are out stopping and ticketing people that are breaking our handheld cell phone laws. If you have a phone in one hand, you’ll have a ticket in the other,” said Sheriff Mike Evans.
Violating
Maryland’s distracted driving laws can be costly. Drivers can be ticketed for
writing, sending or reading a text or electronic message while driving. The
fine is $70 and 1 point on your license and may increase to $110 and 3 points
if use of the device contributes to a crash. Fines for using a handheld cell
phone are $83 for the first offense, $140 for the second offense and $160 for
the third offense. In addition, any driver that causes serious injury or death while talking on a handheld cell phone
or texting may receive a prison sentence of up to 3 years and a fine of up to
$5,000. Drivers are on their provisional license face event tougher penalties
as any violation of these laws may
result in a suspension of driving privileges.
Lt. Sean Morris offered this advice to drivers: “Drive
responsibly - park the phone before you drive. Keep yourself and your
passengers safe by keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all
times. Driving is not the time to talk or text on a
cell phone”
For more information, visit towardzerodeathsmd.com
|
.
