In preparation for the increase in vehicle and pedestrian traffic during the summer, the Damariscotta Police Department recently conducted a detail targeting texting and driving.
On Friday, April 14, interim Police Chief Jason Warlick and Officer Erick Halpin conducted a detail in downtown Damariscotta focused on distracted driving. During the three-hour detail, they summonsed three drivers for texting and driving.
The fine for a first offense of texting and driving is $310. Second and subsequent offenses will cost the driver $610 each.
“It’s no joke, especially downtown where we have four crosswalks within 150 feet of each other,” Halpin said. “We saw folks travel through these crosswalks looking down at their mobile devices, and it’s incredibly dangerous.”
The department will conduct similar details throughout the year, Halpin said.
