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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Matt Bradford |
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Bradford votes to reject weakened distracted driving bill,
sends bill to conference committee
HARRISBURG, July 2 – State Rep. Matt Bradford, D-Montgomery, voted yesterday to reject the Senate’s weakened version of distracted driving legislation, which would have originally imposed strict rules for teen drivers in Pennsylvania.
The original version of H.B. 67 would have made it a primary offense for a junior driver to text or talk on a handheld cell phone or other electronic device while driving. The House passed it in April 2009 by a bipartisan vote of 168-24. However, the Senate amended the bill in May to make it a secondary offense, meaning law enforcement officers could only cite teen drivers for using a cell phone if they had been stopped for another offense or involved in an accident.
The House rejected the Senate version by a bipartisan vote of 126-71.
"In a bipartisan manner, the House rejected the watered down bill and reaffirmed its desire for a bill that will make our roads safer," Bradford said.
Bradford said he will continue to work toward achieving a stronger and more comprehensive teen safety and distracted driving law for Pennsylvania. He also said that it made sense to have a similar law for adults.
In January, the House, by a vote of 189-6, also passed legislation (H.B. 2070) that would ban hand-held cell phones and texting while driving for adults. However, the Senate has failed to act on that bill.
Bradford represents the 170th Legislative District in Montgomery County. For more information, residents can visit www.pahouse.com/Bradford.