Pedestrians and bikers on Commonwealth Avenue may have one less thing to worry about.
On Thursday, a state law goes into effect that bans drivers from texting while behind the wheel.
The Massachusetts Safe Driving Act, signed in July by Gov. Deval Patrick, also prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from talking on the phone while driving; Drivers over 75 must also renew their licenses in person at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and take eye examinations every five years.
Massachusetts is the 30th state to outlaw texting while driving.
Jerry Cibley, a Foxboro resident, said he began “lobbying tirelessly” for the cell phone restrictions after his son died three years ago in a car accident while talking with Cibley on the phone.
He also began rallying, giving interviews to newspapers, speaking at events, joining organizations such as Safe Roads Alliance and was even featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Although he thinks the new law is a step in the right direction, he said the general populace might disregard the new restrictions.
“I am consciously optimistic, but I don’t think that the law is going to convince a young person that the law knows better than they do,” Cibley said in a phone interview. “We have to educate instead of legislate.”
Boston University students admitted that texting while driving
was a problem.
“I admit, I do text while driving,” said Ashlyn St. Ours, a junior in the College of Communication. “I know it isn’t the smartest thing to be doing and I try to refrain from it as much as possible, but it feels natural to do it.”
Now that texting while driving is against the law, St. Ours said she would try to quit completely.
Like St. Ours, some student drivers struggle with the urge to use their cell phones while they’re driving.
For other students, however, this new law does not come as a shock.
“I’m from New York, where no one can talk on the phone and drive,” said Katy Tooley, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman. “The law is a good idea. My friend rear-ended a car while she was texting. It’s dangerous.”
Some said the law could create a safer environment for pedestrians.
“As a girl who does a lot of walking from place to place, I am happy about this law,” St. Ours said. “Pedestrians are less likely to get hit crossing the street if drivers are paying full attention to their surroundings and not their cell phones.”
Though Cibley said the law could be helpful, he wants to see an educational approach to the issue.
He even proposes teaching children as young as three through singsong rhymes, riffing on the popular “Stop, Drop and Roll” saying.
“Don’t phone, text and drive, stay alive,” Cibley suggested.
“Saving lives is more than just about legislation,” Cibley said.
“We have this bill passed, but it’s just the beginning.”
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