NEW PENALTIES AWAIT SOME DISTRACTED DRIVERS UNDER LEGISLATION PASSED BY LAWMAKERS THURSDAY. 

IF YOU SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE BECAUSE YOU ARE TEXTING AND DRIVING…YOUR LICENSE WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR ONE YEAR AND A FINE OF UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS WILL BE ASSESSED. SENATOR JIL TRACY OF QUINCY SAYS THE CHANGE WAS PROMPTED BY AN INCIDENT IN HER AREA.

TRACY ADDS IF YOU END UP SERIOUSLY HURTING SOMEONE BECAUSE YOU’RE ON YOUR PHONE WHILE DRIVING…EXPECT TO LOSE YOUR LICENSE FOR A YEAR AND PAY A FINE OF UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

IF SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR…THE NEW PENALTIES WOULD TAKE EFFECT NEXT SUMMER.