Advocates has sent a letter to members of the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation in support of Senate Bill (SB) 2349 and SB 2423 to curb distracted driving by prohibiting uses of mobile electronic devices that lead to visual and cognitive distractions. Wireless communication device distraction, which includes manual, visual and cognitive components, is a serious issue contributing to crashes.
SB 2349 and SB 2423 update the law to reflect technological advancements that lead to visual and cognitive distractions. SB 2349 bans drivers from recording, broadcasting, capturing images or video of the driver, and prohibits the wearing, holding or other use of devices such as augmented or mixed reality devices. SB 2349 also bans drivers from viewing videos, images or texts on a monitor, screen, headset or other display. SB 2423 prohibits drivers from using social media, using camera functions, participating in video calls and viewing movies or other video displays.
We recommend improving SB 2349 by removing language requiring the bill’s upgrades to be enforced on a secondary basis, which requires a law enforcement officer to first observe another violation. Not only is primary enforcement more effective, enforcing SB 2349 on a primary basis simplifies and harmonizes enforcement with current distracted driving laws for adults and minors, which are enforced on a primary basis. Creating a lower tier of enforcement for SB 2349 also risks sending a message that those infractions are not as dangerous as other forms of distracted driving.
Each distracted driving death and serious injury irrevocably changes the lives of families and communities in Massachusetts and across the nation. We urge you to support and upgrade SB 2349 and support SB 2423.
Read the full letter here.