Gov. Baker Signs Distracted Driving Bill, Barring Hand-Held Cellphones Behind Wheel

BOSTON (AP/CBS) — Massachusetts has joined every other New England state by barring drivers from using hand-held cellphones behind the wheel.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill into law on Monday. It takes effect 90 days after it's signed.

RELATED: Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban – What It Means For You

The state Senate and the state House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the measure earlier this month.

The bill calls for a $100 fine for a first offense, $250 for a second offense, and $500 for subsequent offenses.

Jerry Cibley, who lost his son Jordan to distracted driving 12 years ago, never thought he'd see this day. "I took a back seat two years ago when it failed again," Cibley told WBZ. "I finally picked myself off the floor, got on the horse and have been charging forward ever since."

Drivers will still be allowed to use hands-free cellphones. Massachusetts already bans texting while driving.

Walpole Police chief John Carmichael says this bill could be easier to enforce. "Before with trying to establish texting or making a phone call it was impossible," Carmichael said. "Now this opens up the ability to see any movement that's taking place."

Driver Joseph Muhozi says he'll have to change his habits because his car is his office. "Sometimes when you switch from one job to another it's easier to make calls while driving," Muhozi said. "Now I'll have to park to make these calls or something like that."

The bill also requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to collect data from traffic stops, including the driver's age, race and gender without identifying the driver to help identify police agencies that may be engaging in racial profiling.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)