Massachusetts Texting Law May Not Be Working
Massachusetts police officers issued over 6,300 citations for texting while driving in 2017. Despite the fact that it is illegal to text and drive in Massachusetts — and carries a minimum penalty of $100 and as high as $500 — drivers appear to be undeterred by the law.
Screenshot of texting Massachusetts driver via WWLP.
Massachusetts police officers issued over 6,300 citations for texting while driving in 2017. Despite the fact that it is illegal to text and drive in Massachusetts — and carries a minimum penalty of $100 and as high as $500 — drivers appear to be undeterred by the law, reports WWLP.
The reporters went on a sting with police in Western Massachusetts to suss out drivers that engaged in distracted driving behavior. In under one hour, policed stopped a dozen drivers for texting behind the wheel and issued six citations.
In addition, the officers and reporters spotted drivers grooming as well as taking photos — all while operating a moving vehicle.
Distracted driving remains a huge problem in the state, according to the report. Police point out that it is not only the cause of crashes but road rage as well because distracted drivers text at red lights and then fail to be aware of when the signal turns green.
In fact, drivers traveling at 55 mph can cover the length of a football field by taking their eyes off the road for just five seconds to either type or read a text, according to the report.
Everyday, nine people lose their lives and approximately 1,000 more are injured in motor vehicle collisions that involve distracted driving.
View WWLP's full report here.
More Safety
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
Fleet Cybersecurity 101: What You Need from Your Technology Vendors
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →