1100 Maine Drivers Cited for Distracted Driving by State Police
Fort Fairfield Journal, March 18, 2015
During the past six months, State Troopers have cited nearly 1100 motorists for texting and distracted driving and the chief of the department said those enforcement efforts will continue throughout the year.
The Chief of the State Police, Colonel Robert Williams, said his department has received two federal grants totally almost $300,000 to conduct increased enforcement of motorists who are driving distracted. Williams said the funding will pay for Trooper’s overtime, and that in addition to his fleet of marked cruisers, State Police are using a variety of unmarked cars and SUVs to monitor traffic and cite drivers who are not paying attention while driving.
Williams said, “The largest percentage of drivers cited were for texting, but Troopers have also summonsed motorists for eating, reading and putting on makeup. Drivers have one obligation -- to drive -- and delay the distractions until they are not behind the wheel.”
The chief said that since September 1, Troopers have cited 1,080 motorists for distracted driving. Of that number 429 were cited for texting. Also included in the total number were 54 commercial vehicle truck drivers for using their handheld cell phones. Commercial drivers are only allowed to use cell phones hands-free. That restriction does not apply to drivers of passenger vehicles.
The fine for distracted driving is $119 and the fine for a first offense of texting is $310, which increases to $610 for a second offense.