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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Nick Kotik |
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Kotik supports distracted driver measures
HARRISBURG, April 29 – State Rep. Nick Kotik, D-Allegheny, said today he is disappointed the House of Representatives recently defeated a measure that would impose a ban on drivers using hand-held cell phones while operating a vehicle.
"I will continue to advocate for the passage of this ban," Kotik said. "I think we need to revisit this issue, look at safety benefits behind it, and get it passed."
Kotik added that studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Virginia Tech, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Utah have all shown that drivers who talk on their cell phones are three to four times more likely to be involved in a crash. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, hand-held cell phones contributed to 1,245 crashes on Pennsylvania roadways in 2007. In contrast, there were 56 crashes on the state’s roadways attributed to hands-free cell phones during the same year.
"Accidents can happen at any time, anywhere, for any number of reasons," said Kotik. "However, if we can keep drivers, passengers and other drivers on the highway safer, I think we should start by enacting this ban."
The measure would have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving on all public roads in Pennsylvania. Exceptions would have been provided for law enforcement officers, drivers of mass transit vehicles, operators of emergency vehicles when on duty, or motorists who are reporting a traffic accident or are making a 511 or 911 emergency call. A violation would have been a summary offense and, upon conviction, a person would have been required to pay a $50 fine, but no points would have been assessed.
However, Kotik did commend the House for passing a distracted driving bill that would ban drivers with learner's permits or junior licenses from using cell phones or sending text messages while driving, add an additional 15 hours of driving hour requirements for those under 18 who want a learner's permit, and limit the number of passengers under 18 a junior driver can have in a vehicle to one, except for relatives. A police officer would be allowed to pull over a junior driver for not wearing a seat belt. Also, this bill would exempt those making a 911 emergency call while driving.
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