AUGUSTA — Put down that mobile device while driving, or pay for it dearly.
That’s the message Maine State Police have been sending over the last six months, according to Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.
McCausland said Monday troopers have issued about 1,080 distracted-driving citations as police continue to crack down on texting and other forms of distracted driving.
While 429 citations were for texting and driving, “Troopers have also summonsed motorists for eating, reading and putting on makeup,” according to Col. Robert Williams, chief of the Maine State Police.
Commercial drivers are only allowed to use hands-free phones, which does not apply to drivers of passenger vehicles. They received 54 citations.
The fine for distracted driving is $119, and the fine for a first offense of texting while driving is $310, which goes up to $610 for a second offense.
State police have received two federal grants totaling nearly $300,000 to conduct enforcement of distracted driving, with a variety of unmarked cars and sport utility vehicles used to monitor traffic, McCausland said.
Enforcement will continue throughout the year.
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