State House bans hand-held cells, texting while driving
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HARRISBURG -- The state House voted 156 to 40 today to prohibit Pennsylvania motorists from talking on hand-held cell phones while they are behind the wheel.
The House action was preliminary approval for a measure by Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, to criminalize the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers. The offense would be a primary offense, meaning police could stop drivers they see using hand-held phones. Hands-free phone devices would still be permitted.
Mr. Shapiro said the Legislature must do more to ban "distracted driving" and keep Pennsylvania roadways safer. His measure is an amendment to House Bill 2070, by Rep. Joe Markosek, D-Monroeville, which bans all drivers from sending text messages while operating their vehicle.
The House will take a final vote tomorrow on the bill that outlaws both texting and hand-held cell phone use while driving. The bill also prohibits teen drivers age 16 and 17 from using any kind of cell phones and from texting. If it gets final approval, it must go to the Senate for more action.
Some critics said there are many distractions while driving, such as eating, drinking or tuning the radio, and in order to be consistent, the Legislature should ban those practices also, but Mr. Shapiro said talking on a hand-held cell phone is posing a special danger on highways now because many people are doing it.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published January 25, 2010 5:54 pm
