{"data":{"id":"us-me/29-a-m.r.s.-2119","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"29-A M.R.S. §2119","heading":"Text messaging while operating motor vehicle; prohibition","body":"1.  Definitions.\n2.  Prohibition.  A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a public way while engaging in text messaging, including but not limited to when the motor vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or a stop sign.\nA person may engage in text messaging while in the operator's seat of a motor vehicle if the person has pulled the motor vehicle over to the side of, or off, a public way and has halted in a location where the motor vehicle can safely remain stationary.\nNothing in this section prohibits a person employed as a commercial driver or a school bus driver from using a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone within the scope of the person's employment as permitted under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.\n3.  Penalties.  The following penalties apply to a violation of this section.\nA.  A person who violates this section commits a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $250 may be adjudged.\nB.  A person who violates this section after previously having been adjudicated as violating this section within a 3-year period commits a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $500 may be adjudged, and the Secretary of State shall suspend the license of that person without right to hearing.  The minimum periods of license suspension are:\n(1)  Thirty days, if the person has 2 adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period;\n(2)  Sixty days, if the person has 3 adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period; and\n(3)  Ninety days, if the person has 4 or more adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period.\nFor the purposes of this paragraph, an adjudication has occurred within a 3-year period if the date of the new conduct is within 3 years of the date of a docket entry of adjudication of a violation of this section.","path":["TITLE 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC","CHAPTER 19: OPERATION","SUBCHAPTER 2: VIOLATIONS"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2119.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:35Z","sha256":"d52863ea21cc42652731dd760441c68392bd24c58ea3df1e89c188f0e69eb958","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/29-a-m.r.s.-2118","next":"us-me/29-a-m.r.s.-2120"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}