The Senate rejected a portion of the House bill that would ban all cell phone use except by a hands-free device. The initial bill made proposed to make text messaging while driving a secondary offense, meaning an officer may only issue a citation if the driver was pulled over for a different violation than texting. The Senate rejected this as well and upgraded texting while driving to a primary offense.

The Senate’s revisions to the bill have created the following measures:

• Require drivers over 75 to pass an examination of the motorist’s cognitive and physical capabilities.
• Elderly drivers who fail the cognitive or physical examination may protest the RMV’s decision by taking a driving test demonstrating they hold the necessary driving skills for continued licensing.
• Civil immunity would be granted to physicians and officers who report, or fail to report, an individual who demonstrated unsafe and improper use of a cell phone or is not physically capable of driving.
• When a violation of the texting law has been reported to the RMV the driver’s license will be suspended.
• Drivers who attain 3 surchargeable incidents in a 2 year time frame must either take a driver’s training course or face a suspended license. Current laws require this measure after 5 surchargeable incidents in a 3 year period.
• Prohibits the use of cell phones for talking or texting for public transit operators.

The bills from both congressional bodies have been sent to a joint Senate and House committee to conjure a compromised version of the proposed measures. Keep an eye on the news for this piece of legislature, it is bound to affect every Massachusetts driver.

Power outages also plagued Massachusetts as the snow fall cut power from a number households in many towns including Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Ashby, Townsend, Southbridge. Approximately 4,500 National Grid customers as well as 1,500 Unitil customers lost power for at least a portion of the day today. Support crews have been dispatched and expect to have power available soon if it has not been already.  Power outages and slippery roads are a dangerous combination. Drivers should do their best be on the roads as little as possible.

Road conditions varied throughout the state from sleet and slush to icy and snowy roads cautious driving is key. In many areas as the snow turns to sleet and rain it is imperative drivers are aware as the night temperature drops icy roads will become increasingly dangerous. State police have reduced the speed limit on the Massachusetts Turnpike and caution drivers to reduce their speeds where ice and snow have covered the roads.

Bundle up and drive safely if you must!

A standard service many people forget to check is tire pressure. The pressure will drop about one pound for ever ten degree drop in temperature. Not only does the proper air pressures in your tires help you get the most out of your gas mileage, it will affect how your auto handles. Whether you’re braking or maybe turning a corner downtown, the tire pressure will greatly affect the way your car responds.

Another important, yet basic, winter maintenance many forget is checking your windshield wipers and fluid. Be sure to keep the windshield wipers clean and great shape. There’s nothing worse than squinting through a dirty windshield in rush hour traffic. Keep your windshield wiper fluid at a decent level as well, although it may not snow or rain every day chances are one day or another you’ll drive behind a large truck spewing slushy snow and dirt your way. Also, it’s always a good idea to keep an extra bottle in the trunk for those extra slushy days.

A third important thing to keep an eye on is the gas tank. When driving in the winter it’s important to keep the gas tank full, or at least half full. Should you hit a patch of ice or find yourself stuck in the snow, your engine may be your only source of heat! When traveling from one side of town to the other, or maybe from one side of the state to the other, it’s important to maintain gas levels and avoid frost bite.

These are a few things you can do yourself, however if you notice anything strange or different about the way your car runs play it safe and take it into a mechanic. Many times by letting a small problem go, larger more expensive problems may occur. Save yourself the trouble, let a professional take a look.

According to Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, speed cameras are used in 48 communities nationwide, including areas of Massachusetts.

Giving the surveillance a whole police squad can not preform every hour of the day, the hope is our roads will be safer. According to the IIHS, “speed cameras ‘can substantially reduce speeding on a wide range of roadway types.’”

-”Speed Cameras on U.S. Highways?“, Craig Howie CNN

It’s important to acknowledge these cameras, even one speeding ticket will affect future auto insurance rates. Although the cameras have not been enforced nationally, they’ve slowly been creeping across the country. Driving at the posted speed limit will not only save you from spending on tickets, you’ll save on gas too!

We’ve all had the manic driver zoom up pushing us to go a few miles faster. Whether there’s a cop waiting down the block or a camera to flash your plates, you can never be sure. Follow the speed limits and you’ll reap the benefits.

AMEC, a global engineering firm, banned cell phone usage while driving on company time. Bill Windory, an associate VP of safety for Nationwide Insurance noted:

“Early on, companies said, ‘Hey, phoning and driving is great. This will give us all kinds of increased productivity’… [However] now, we’re at a point where we better understand the risks involved.”  - ‘Can’t Talk Now’ by Maggie Jackson of the Boston Globe.

If you text and drive take into consideration the lives you are putting on the line. Pull off the road and stop to read your text or make that phone call. If you are distracted and hit another driver, or worse a pedestrian, you’ll not only have cost yourself in auto insurance premiums, you may have cost a life.

Drive safely.