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HOUSES PASSES DRIVER RESTRICTIONS |
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Vision Test Required At 75
February 6, 2010: On Thursday the MA House of Representatives passed a bill (HB4466), which establishes new license requirements for elderly drivers, while also banning hand-held cell phone use and texting for all drivers. Beginning at age 75, drivers would be required to pass an eye exam every 5 years and have to renew their license in person.
The bill, which had been under the review of the House for many months, also allows physicians to notify the Registry of Motor Vehicles when a patient, in their medical opinion, is physically or mentally impaired from operating a motor vehicle.
While the bill bans hand held cell phone use and texting while driving, it does allow for "hands-free" use of the device. A headset or speakerphone is considered to be "hands-free". Violators would face a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for any subsequent offense, the same penalties for violations of the text messaging prohibition.
HB4466 is less controversial than an earlier bill, promoted by Senator Brian Joyce (D-Milton), which would have required road exams for anyone age 85 or older.
The bill is now before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Senate leaders have not expressed a position on the issue or set a time table for when it may be brought to the Senate floor for debate.
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