Can you go on your phone at a red light in MA

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) / state law says about going on your phone at a red light in Massachusetts.

✅ What the law allows & forbids

• Under the Massachusetts Hands‑Free Driving Law (effective February 23, 2020) — codified in Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 90, Section 13B — drivers may not hold or support a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle.
• Use of a phone is only legal if the device is in hands-free mode, which means it must be properly mounted (e.g. on the dashboard, windshield, or center console) and drivers can only touch it to activate hands-free mode once (e.g. one tap/swipe).
• The law prohibits “touching a device for texting, e-mailing, apps, video, or internet use.”
• Importantly: even if your car is stopped at a red light (or a stop sign), the law still applies. Handheld use — holding/using a phone in your hand — is not allowed at red lights or stop signs.

⚠️ Consequences

If you violate the law by using a handheld device while the vehicle is on a public roadway:

• 1st offense — typically a $100 fine.
• 2nd offense — around $250 plus a required distracted-driving education course.
• 3rd or subsequent offenses — up to $500 fine, plus insurance surcharge and mandatory driver retraining.

Also note: for junior drivers (drivers under 18, or certain restricted license holders), the law is stricter — they are generally prohibited from using mobile devices at all while driving (even in hands-free mode).

✅ So — can you “go on your phone” at a red light in MA?

No — at least not if you are holding the phone. Under Massachusetts law, a red light counts as you operating a vehicle on a public roadway. Hand-held phone use is forbidden. The only way you may legally use a phone while stopped at a red light is if it’s mounted and you’re using it in true hands-free mode (e.g. voice-activated call, navigation) in compliance with the law.

About Michael Mcstay

Michael McStay is the founder, publisher, of Plimoth Today, a dedicated local news platform delivering real-time reporting, civic updates, and community coverage across the Plymouth region. With a deep commitment to independent local journalism, Michael oversees both the technical infrastructure and the editorial direction of the platform—ensuring residents have transparent, reliable access to everything from Town Meeting coverage to local athletics and maritime updates.