Distracted driver enforcement blooms with spring

The fine for a first offense of texting is $310. (Courtesy photo)

AUGUSTA - Maine State Police this week announced stepped-up enforcement of anti-texting and distracted-driving laws after nearly 1,100 motorists were cited in the past six months.

Col. Robert Williams, Chief of the State Police, said his department has received two federal grants totally almost $300,000 to conduct increased enforcement of motorists who are driving distracted. He 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.

"The largest percentage of drivers cited were for texting, but Troopers have also summonsed motorists for eating, reading and putting on makeup," Williams said. "Drivers have one obligation -- to drive -- and delay the distractions until they are not behind the wheel."

The chief said that since Sept. 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.

Williams said the effort would continue through 2015.