SECTION 13B. Composing, sending or reading of electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle prohibited; penalties  


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  • (a) No operator of a motor vehicle shall use a mobile telephone, or any handheld device capable of accessing the internet, to manually compose, send or read an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle. For the purposes of this section, an operator shall not be considered to be operating a motor vehicle if the vehicle is stationary and not located in a part of the public way intended for travel.

    (b) A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $100 for a first offense, by a fine of $250 for a second offense and by a fine of $500 for a third or subsequent offense.

    (c) A penalty under this section shall not be a surchargeable offense under section 113B of chapter 175.