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Page 10 THE REVERE ADVOCATE - Friday, March 15, 2019 Baker-Polito Administration, AAA Northeast and MADD highlight importance of improving road safety G ov. Charlie Baker, Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin Deveney and MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver were recently joined by AAA Northeast President/ CEO John Galvin and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Program Director Mary Kate DePamphilis to highlight the importance of the Baker-Polito Administration’s proposed road safety legislation (filed on January 24, 2019), An Act relative to improving safety on the roads of the Commonwealth. “Ensuring the safety of travelers throughout Massachusetts is very important, and we are proud to have the support of stakeholders like AAA and MADD on this commonsense legislation,” said Baker. “Our roadway safety legislation targets several areas which will have a real impact on improving safety for the traveling public, including imposing greater sanctions for operating under the influence and establishing requirements for newly emerging transportation options.” “Our bill will help reduce distracted driving on the Commonwealth’s roadways and give law enforcement new tools to better protect travelers,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “We are grateful for the support of AAA and MADD, and look forward to working with the Legislature to pass this bill.” The proposals to increase road safety being made by the Baker-Polito Administration stem, in part, from discussions with members of the Massachusetts Legislature, strategies outlined in the 2018 Massachusetts Strategic Highway Safety Plan and input from key stakeholders, such as the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition and various law enforcement professionals. “The Baker-Polito Administration is submitting legislation in order to further the public discourse about steps which can be taken to improve public safety,” said Deveney. “In particular, the Administration believes that regulations insisting on hands-free driving and the expanded use of interlock devices will go far in saving lives and preventing injuries.” “Specific actions can be taken with new regulations which will save lives on our roadways,” said Gulliver. “Without question, mandatory speed limits in work zones, truck guards and additional mirrors on certain classifications of trucks will protect members of the public who are at work, driving, walking or cycling.” “We are extremely gratified to see that Gov. Baker is making traffic safety a priority for this administration,” said Galvin. “For many years, our mission at AAA Northeast has been to make our roadways safer for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and those who work at the roadside.” “MADD is so thankful for Governor Baker’s proposed legislation,” said DePamphilis. “Governor Baker understands what it takes to save real lives on the roadways of the Commonwealth and we appreciate that. Ignition interlocks for first-time offenders could save many family’s lives, since we know up to 75% of offenders drive on a suspended liHEALTH | from page 6 cident, we don’t hesitate to offer some sort of aid,” noted Jaime Lederer, MSW, MPH, who directs the grant program at CHA. “People are sometimes less comfortable responding to a mental health crisis - someone experiencing anxiety, severe depression or substance misuse. MHFA gives laypeople the knowledge and skills cense. I look forward to working with our partners to help get the governor’s road safety bill passed and increase traffic safety in Massachusetts.” An Act relative to improving safety on the roads of the Commonwealth includes proposals on the following topics: Hands-free: requires electronic devices to be used in “hands-free” mode and would not allow anyone operating a motor vehicle to touch or hold a mobile electronic device, “except to perform a single tap or swipe to activate, deactivate, or initiate hands-free mode.” The bill would permit talking, texting and other tasks to be completed by voice commands and would allow law enforcement officers to better enforce distraction laws. Primary seatbelt: permits law enforcement to stop motorists for not wearing seatbelts. Work zone safety: allows the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to establish mandatory temporary lower speed limits in construction zones that would double fines when workers are present. Currently, lower speed limits in construction zones are only suggestions, and law enforcement cannot enforce them. Side guards and additional mirrors: requires all municipal contractors and Commonwealth-owned and operated vehicles over 10,000 pounds to have side guards, convex mirrors, and crossover mirrors after Jan. 1, 2020. Certain vehicle classifications would be exempt, and the law grants the authority to the Registrar of they need to provide assistance and refer people for further help.” Over one million people 781-321-7700 10% DISCOUNT WITH THIS AD! COMPLETE LINE OF QUALITY FURNITURE AT LOW PRICES *BEDROOM SETS *DINING ROOM SETS *KITCHEN SETS ASHLEY SOFA *SOFA / LOVE SEATS *TABLES & CHAIRS *COMPUTER DESKS $399.00 ASHLEY BEDROOM SETS $ LAYAWAY PLANS AVAILABLE 42 Willow St., Malden 895.95 have been trained in MHFA nationwide, according to the National Council on Behavioral Health, which leads MHFA training efforts. “Expanding mental health training in our communities will strengthen our capacity to better support and serve those who experience a mental health problem,” explained Lederer. “By removing the fear and hesitation people often feel when discussing mental health and substance use, we can reduce the stigma and equip people with the necessary tools to start a dialogue, and more people can receive the support they may need.” The MHFA program helps participants recognize the signs and symptoms of a numMotor Vehicles to grant additional exemptions, in keeping with U.S. DOT standards. Ignition interlock, hardship licenses: requires the use of ignition interlock devices for first offenders who apply for hardship licenses, requiring an interlock device for a minimum of six months as a condition of obtaining a hardship license. Ignition interlock, penalties for violating terms of interlock program: Clarifies the ability of the Registry to penalize those who attempt to drive after drinking alcohol (even with an interlock device) or who tamper with an interlock device. New technology: treats certain new technology items the same as bicycles – according to existing Massachusetts General Laws. (Electric scooters and other low-speed mobility devices, such as electric bicycles, currently lack a specific vehicle classification.) For example, low-speed mobility operators, like bicyclists, would need to wear a helmet if under the age of 16, would be required to yield to people walking and provide an audible signal when passing and could not block vehicular or pedestrian traffic when parked. In addition, the law would require MassDOT to establish a micro-mobility advisory working group to propose future changes for safe adoption of emerging and undefined low-speed mobility devices. Between 2012 and 2016, 15,662 people were seriously injured and 1,820 people lost their lives on the roadways of the Commonwealth. In addition, 14 road workers ber of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, substance use and ways to respond to crises like suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and overdoses. “Research shows that those who have attended a MHFA class feel much more prepared to assist those grappling with mental health issues and to help them get the appropriate services that they need,” noted Lederer, “I look forward to expanding our reach in communities and raising awareness of the resources and services available to help.” To learn more about the Cambridge Health Alliance’s programs and services, including Mental Health First Aid please visit: http://bit.ly/ CHAMHSupport. CHA is an academic community health system comwere killed between 2009 and 2016. To protect those working, the legislation would allow MassDOT to set up temporary mandatory speed limits in construction zones. To protect people walking, bicycling and using motorcycles on Massachusetts roadways, the legislation would require stateowned heavy trucks and state and municipally–contracted vehicles to be equipped with convex and cross-over mirrors and require the installation of side guards between the front and rear wheels of these vehicles to protect people from being caught under a truck and run over by its rear wheels. The bill expands efforts to limit distracted driving by having Massachusetts join 16 other states, including all of our neighboring New England states, in requiring hands-free use of electronic devices while driving. In addition, law enforcement would be able to stop motorists who are not wearing seatbelts under this legislation. The proposal corrects inconsistencies in the law for those convicted of Operating Under the Influence (OUI) by requiring first-time offenders who apply for hardship licenses to be placed into the ignition interlock program and clarifying the ability of the Registry of Motor Vehicles to penalize those who attempt to drive after consuming alcohol, even with an ignition interlock device. Emerging micro-mobility technologies like electric scooters and increased use of electric bicycles present both GUESTS | SEE PAGE 11 mitted to providing highquality care in Cambridge, Somerville and Boston’s metro-north communities. CHA has expertise in primary care, specialty care and mental health/substance use services, as well as caring for diverse and complex populations. It includes three hospital campuses, a network of primary care and specialty practices and the Cambridge Public Health Dept. CHA patients have seamless access to advanced care through the system’s affiliation with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. CHA is a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate and is also affiliated with Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Tufts University School of Medicine. For more information, visit www.challiance.org. STARTING AT

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