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The Maine Cell Phone and Distracted Driving Law
Distracted Driving Laws in Maine
In June of 2009, the Governor of Maine Signed Senate Bill 15 into law. Senate Bill 15 is titled "Failure To Maintain Control Of A Motor Vehicle".
According to the new law, a driver fails to maintain control of a vehicle if she is engaging in activities that are not necessary to the operation of the vehicle, or activities that impair the ability of the person to safely operate the vehicle.
The new law defines "Failure To Maintain Control of A Motor Vehicle" as committing a traffic violation or being involved in a "reportable" accident while engaged in the operation of a motor vehicle while distracted.
To read the details of the new bill please go to the State of Maine Website and Read Senate Bill 15.
The State of Maine has a cell-phone law that was first enacted in May of 2003. The cell-phone legislation is part of a larger bill called "LD 1439". This bill, also known as "An Act to Protect Young Drivers and Passengers", prohibits the use of a mobile phone by drivers with a learners permit and a intermediate drivers license.
Moreover, the law institutes a 3-step graduated license system that puts an intermediate drivers license between the learners permit and the unrestricted drivers license. Both of the first two stages carries the cell-phone restriction. There are no allowances for hands-free devices under the bill.
Another bill that was enacted in 2007 was "HP 143". HP 143 prohibits a person under the age of 18 from using a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle regardless of which level of license is held by the driver. In addition the law prohibits use of electronic devices for games, electronic mail and text messaging while driving.
Like the graduated driving law above there are no exceptions for hands-free devices. In addition to HP 143, in 2007 there was a hands-free bill in the legislature, however that bill was voted down earlier in the year.
More Information Maine's Hands-Free Driving Law
Here is the State of Maine's government website that has similar information regarding Senate Bill 17 and the cell-phone driving law.
State Website- Information on Maine's Cell-Phone Driving Law
Other State of Maine Information on this Website
Teen Driving Laws, License and Insurance Requirements in Maine