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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ted Harhai |
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Harhai-supported driver texting and hand-held cell phone ban passes House
HARRISBURG, Jan. 27 – A bill co-sponsored by state Rep. Ted Harhai, D-Westmoreland, that would ban texting and the use of handheld cell phones while driving in Pennsylvania overwhelmingly passed the House Tuesday.
The measure (H.B. 2070) was approved 189-6 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
"Almost daily, we read about some terrible accident in Pennsylvania or elsewhere in the nation where texting or handheld cell phone use by a driver was a major factor, and those are only the worst accidents. Think of how many non-injury and fender-bender accidents there are that you never hear about," said Harhai. "Texting or holding onto a cell phone while driving is like playing Russian roulette – keep tempting fate enough times and your luck will eventually run out."
Harhai cited a July 2009 study released by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that concluded the risk of a crash or near crash for truck drivers is 23 times greater when texting, and a University of Utah study using driving simulators that found the crash risk for college students when texting is eight times greater.
In March of 2009, a Quinnipiac Poll found nearly 9 out of 10 Pennsylvanians surveyed support banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, six states -- California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington -- have banned hand-held cell phones for drivers and 19 ban text messaging while driving.
The distracted driver legislation passed this week would make it a primary offense for drivers to use handheld mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants or portable computers while their vehicle is in motion. An exception would be granted for calling 9-1-1 and for emergency responders performing official duties.
Making a handheld mobile phone call or texting while driving would be punishable by a $50 fine. That fine would be doubled to $100 if the offense was committed in a school zone, active construction zone, highway safety corridor or emergency response area.
"The sooner we get this bill on the governor's desk, the more lives will be saved," added Harhai. "I hope the Senate moves it on as quickly as possible."
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