Committee Approves Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban [POLL]

A ban on operating a cell phone in any way while driving in Massachusetts is one step closer to becoming a reality, according to the Boston Globe.

The Globe reports that the State Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee unanimously passed the bill on Thursday as a continuation of 2010’s Safe Driving Law. The current law allows those over 18 to talk on a cell phone while driving, but bans texting. Those under 18 are currently banned from using a phone in any way while driving.

Rep. Joseph F. Wagner is quoted by the Boston Globe in the same article as saying that the bill is a “common-sense measure” and that its passage with “save lives.”

Penalties for driving while on a cell phone under the new bill have not been announced, but the current Safe Driving Law charges $100 for a texting first offender, while a third offense or higher carries a $500 fine.