Stiff fines, penalties for texting while driving begin Thursday

LYNN – Lynn Classical High School senior Antonio Pacheco doesn’t think the new “Safe Driving Law” going into effect Thursday will stop teenagers from texting and driving.”I don’t think the law is going to prevent it,” said Pacheco. “I don’t think there’s any way that police officers can catch people texting while driving. Plus, they might crash trying to look for kids doing it.”The new law bans all drivers from writing, sending or reading text-messages while driving. The law also forbids junior operators – drivers younger than 18 – from using their cell phones or other mobile electronic devices while driving.The punishments for violations of the law are most severe for young drivers. A first offense for texting while driving for a junior operator is a $100 fine, a 60-day license suspension and required attendance at a “driver attitudinal-retraining course.”Suspensions and fines will increase to 180 days and $250 for a second offense, and one year and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses.For adults, texting while driving penalties result in a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses.Additionally, a penalty of up to a $200 fine or two years in jail, or both, can apply to anyone who causes an accident while texting and driving.Lt. William Sharpe of the Lynn Police believes the law addresses an issue that needs to be addressed.”We do believe that drivers are distracted by cell phone use, especially texting while driving,” said Sharpe. “We would be hopeful that drivers recognize the dangers inherent in driving while distracted and would encourage them to comply with the law that has been adopted to address those changes.”New data from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows nearly 960,000 distracted-driving related accidents last year. Nearly 4,900 of them resulted in at least one death.Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello says he’s often observed people texting while driving, and although it will be tough to catch all of them, the law is necessary.”Any law that potentially makes people pay more attention on the streets is very useful,” said Picariello. “It’s a tool for us in an effort to make the streets much safer and it will certainly cause people to pay more attention to driving.”Fifteen-year old Amber Nunez of Lynn Classical doesn’t have her license yet, but admitted she’s witnessed her mom texting while driving.”I tell her to stop,” said Nunez. “I always say, ‘mom, put your phone away.'”Lynn Classical student Maly Kay, 16, said she’s seen people texting and driving.”I don’t do it, but I’ve seen my friends doing it,” said Kay. “I really don’t think people should be texting and driving at the same time. It’s dangerous. They could hit someone.”Massachusetts is one of 30 states to pass a text-messaging ban, and one of 28 to ban all cell phone use while driving for junior operators.”It’s imperative that we crack down on distracted driving, said Terrel Harris from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. “In terms of public safety, we have to reduce the threat that distracted drivers pose to other drivers on the road.”The state recently launched a campaign to alert drivers about the new law.About 400 LED roadside signs are displayed along the state’s busiest highways to alert drivers that “texting while driving is against the law” as of Sept. 30.Aside from restricting cell phone use while driving, “The Safe Driving Law” also makes it easier for police officers, as well as doctors to alert the state if they believe someone is no longer mentally or physically fit to drive.Operators of public transportation vehicles, including the MBTA, school buses and ferries, are banned from using any cell phone or mobile device, hand-held or hands-free, while driving. Violations are punishable by a $500 fine. Exceptions will only be made in cases of emergency.Finally, the law will crack down on historically bad drivers. Anyone with three surcharged moving violatio