Anti-texting cops to be on overpasses, street corners

Governor LePage speaks at a ceremony in Augusta on Tuesday where a new, aggressive anti-texting campaign was unveiled. (Courtesy photo)

The Chief of the State Police, Colonel Robert Williams, on Tuesday said that the state’s anti-texting while driving campaign will include troopers looking for distracted drivers while standing on highway overpasses, at street intersections and patrolling in non-traditional patrol vehicles, including trucks. 

The state’s top lawman made the announcement at a press briefing in Augusta as Maine begins an extended effort to curb the dangerous practice.

“Distracted drivers are everywhere and not paying attention to their driving. State Police plan to send the message -- no distractions and no excuses,” Williams said.

Governor LePage, along with Williams and the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety were among those present as the campaign was unveiled.

The centerpiece is signage on several large commercial trucks that travel in Maine, with the message, “One Text or Call, Can Wreck it All.”  So far 16 trucks have the signage on their cargo sections and the Bureau of Highway Safety intends to add to that number.   

“What better way to remind Maine drivers than to reach them while they are actually driving on Maine roads,” said Lauren Stewart, Director of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. “The Bureau has made the reduction of distracted driving one of its main priorities. It’s a great way to reinforce the message that we want you to ‘Survive Your Drive.’”

The minimum fine for texting while driving in Maine is $250, which refers to first-time offenders, while repeat offenders face a $500 fine. This includes emails and instant messages, in addition to text messages.

Governor LePage praised the effort and the Maine based trucking firms that are taking part in the safety campaign. He said he has seen the trucks in his travels around the state.  “I commend our Maine-based distributors for stepping up with their trucks and partnering with the State on this important campaign,” said Governor LePage. “Last year, according to the Department of Transportation, 3,111 car crashes in Maine were caused by distracted driving. One crash is too many. Mainers can count on my administration to move forward with this message and to enforce our laws.”

In addition to the signage, the Bureau has allocated funding to the State Police for several special enforcement efforts, which will begin this month. All of the funding to combat distracted driving comes from federal highway safety grants and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  In all more than $600,000 in federal money is being used to conduct the safety and public awareness effort.

The trucking firms taking part in the effort are East Branch Delivery Services of Bangor, Auburn and Presque Isle;  Mark Dyer of Bangor, and Jim and Jason Laptewicz of Portland and Bangor.