Thank you Mr. Speaker and through you to the members.
This first year I have spent as a member of this prestigious chamber has been an honor, challenge and privilege. I have had the opportunity to work closely with many talented and dedicated people.
I feel proud of what we have accomplished as a unit, passing sweeping bold energy legislation, protecting the rights of same sex couples, and initiating stronger, more specific protections for children in abuse situations. I want to praise you, Mr. Speaker, because under your dedicated leadership and guidance, and your leadership team, I have learned so much about being a strong contributor to this legislative process.
Today I rise in support of House Bill 3679, An Act Further Regulating the Use of Certain Communication Devices While Operating a Motor Vehicle. I am proud to stand before you today in strong support of this legislation.
For me, this bill deals with a very personal issue. Individuals in my community have recently had to struggle with the untimely and unnecessary death of a bright young woman named Amanda P. Martin of Southbridge. Amanda was a senior cosmetology student at Bay Path High School. She was also an animal lover and worked part time at a local kennel. Her young life was cut short in a fatal car crash the morning of October 17th of 2007. Amanda was alone in her vehicle, she received a text message only minutes before the crash. Police and family members believe that text messaging while driving was the cause of the fatal crash.
Amanda’s family is here with me today and they have shared some of their thoughts about this bill. I would like to share a few of those words:
“We are here today to support this bill in loving memory of Amanda Pearl Martin our 17 year old daughter and sister who has lost her life in a car accident on October 17, 2007. Amanda received a text message while driving to school at 7:22am. The first call into the Charlton Police Department to report Amanda's accident was recorded at 7:25am. It only takes a moments distraction to lead to
catastrophic results. I believe the measure before you will help law enforcement save lives. You can’t always be with your children. You can only hope that they will always be safe.”
Like Amanda, many individuals across our state have lost their lives due to this simple unintentional danger. I have met with community leaders and law enforcement officials who all express concern over this growing trend and feel strongly that we must do all we can to prevent another senseless tragedy on the road. The goal of this legislation is not to ticket individuals, but to raise awareness of the public safety problems that new technology has created on our roads. We, as state legislators need to act to ensure that our drivers are safe on the roads.
A startling study shows that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood - alcohol limit of .08
Studies have also found that distracted driving accounts for 80% of major car accidents each year, and that cell phone use while driving is the distraction most cited.
Our young people are especially susceptible to the dangers created by cell phone use while behind the wheel. We need to protect our Innocent inexperienced drivers, and we as experienced drivers need to re-evaluate safety standards versus convenience.
Other states throughout the country have already passed legislation that prohibits the use of hand-held phones while operating a motor vehicle. California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington D.C. all have laws very similar to the one we are considering here today. I believe that Massachusetts must join these states by being a leader for the rest of the country in encouraging driver safety.
I ask today that you consider the importance of keeping our roads safe, and the positive impact this legislation would have on the many drivers who venture out on our roads each year. I ask for your support of this bill.
