Push to strengthen Massachusetts' hands-free driving law hits Beacon Hill - WCVB Boston
BOSTON —
A deadly crash in western Massachusetts last year has prompted one lawmaker to try to close what she calls a loophole in the hands-free driving law with a new bill that would prohibit drivers from holding their phones behind the wheel or watching any video.
But the Massachusetts law does not ban drivers from vlogging, recording or broadcasting video of themselves while driving, even if they're not holding their phones.
"No one should be engaged with the camera in any capacity while they're driving," said Joan Ringrose Sellers, whose partner, Charlie Braun, was hit and killed while riding his bike in Northampton in October by a distracted driver.
Ringrose Sellers testified Wednesday before the Joint Committee on Transportation in support of Charlie's Law.
"We had just celebrated our third anniversary, and he had just moved in with me. And in an instant, our life together was over," Ringrose Sellers said.
A recent report found the number of people recording videos while driving more than doubled between 2015 and 2020, and that younger drivers are more likely to engage in this behavior.
Galen Mook, executive director of MassBike, said the change is a smart update to the existing law.
"Since 2019, we have seen technological developments and how video broadcasting has now become widespread through both hand-held and dash-mounted devices, and we feel that this law helps address some of those technological leaps," Mook said.
The bill's sponsor, State Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, said there are exceptions for emergency situations including recording police activity. Phones could also still be used to record traffic or monitor passengers.
"The law isn't explicit yet about recording videos while not actively handling a device while driving. I suggest that Charlie's Law has the potential to close that gap, and will allow Charlie Braun's tragic death to send a clear message to the public on the dangers of recording videos while driving," Comerford said.
Other states have already taken this step to crack down on distracted driving. No one testified against the bill at the hearing. It's now up to the committee to decide whether the bill moves forward.
source: https://www.wcvb.com/article/5-investigates-massachusetts-hands-free-driving-law-march-9-2022/39388328
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