Maine Law for All Drivers

Society is always craving the best in technology and it’s no surprise that today’s drivers have many temptations and distractions. Cell phones can do more than just make a basic call, users can now email and text message without being at a bulky computer. Yes technology has advanced so much over the years and has become affordable so the average Joe/Jane may partake in the experience.

Advancement in technology can make new addicting distractions for the user; like paying attention in class or driving a vehicle. According to a study released in January by the National Safety Council, twenty-eight percent of car accidents occur when the drivers were using their cell phones, ether talking or texting.

While other states have made it illegal for cell phone users to talk/text and drive, Maine is not one of them. Maine does have laws that prevent drivers under the age of 18 from using cell phones along with other drivers that have learner’s permits or intermediate licenses. Many users believe using a hands-free cell phone accessory, like Blue Tooth, makes driving easier but according to studies it doesn’t make a difference.
Senator Bill Diamond, D-Windham, sponsored a bill that came into effect September 12, 2009 that impacted every driver in the state of Maine. The law is met to cover a broader amount of distractions than just cell phones alone.

The law makes failure to maintain control of a vehicle illegal and is defined by a driver participating in another activity that is not necessary to driving the vehicle. Also if the activity impairs or would be assume to impair the drivers ability to drive safely. Therefore, this law covers everything from eating to talking on the cell phone.

Having a law only making cell phone usage illegal will allow new technologies legal while driving when they equally distract a driver’s attention. Senator Diamond expressed to the Bangor Daily News that targeting just cell phone usage is not the answer. “We cannot just focus on cell phones or the electronic device of the day that people are interested in at that moment,” Diamond says. “What we do is focus on the behavior, not what specifically caused it.”

The law gives police the right to ticket distracted drivers for failing to maintain control of their vehicle. If you’re using a cell phone while driving you can be pulled over if a police officer takes notice. However, if you’re using a cell phone and driving in a way that doesn’t attract attention to yourself you will go unnoticed. Making the law penalties only kick in if the driver is caught driving distracted, or is involved in an accident.

“This gives drivers a false sense of ‘I’m a great driver and will not be distracted by my cell phone.’” Seth Toothaker a senior at the University of Maine. “If it’s not illegal drivers will continue to drive and use a cell phone. People will think they can handle it, when everyone knows you cannot pay attention to the road while using a cell phone. Driving is a full time task and so many people are disrespecting this privilege.”

Rep. George Hogan told the Bangor Daily News in response to the cell phone driving legislation that “It’s on the minds of every state, and almost every state is more aggressive than Maine.”

For 2011 Sen. Diamond is sponsoring a new bill that will ban texting while driving. “While Maine took a big step forward passing a distracted driver law in 2009, it is clear to me now that measure deals more with the effect,” Diamond said. “The proposed ban on texting while driving I have put forward deals better with the cause of the problem.”

Banning texting is a great step forward to prevent innocent deaths but while technology advances Maine state laws need to keep up with the distractions Maine drivers are encountering. Until then using common sense can save hundreds of lives.