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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Josh Shapiro |
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Shapiro leads fight to disconnect distracted drivers
HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, is again leading the effort to help make Pennsylvania’s roads safer by banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Last week, Shapiro began circulating a co-sponsorship memo to his colleagues advising them of his plans to reintroduce legislation that would require drivers to use hands-free devices if they want to talk on their cell phone while driving.
Banning the use of hand-held devices protects the roadways from the dangers of physical impairment while driving. A National Highway Transportation Safety Administration study found that cell phones are the No. 1 distraction for drivers, and distracted drivers are three times as likely to be involved in a crash. According to a state police report, hand-held cell phones contributed to 1,245 crashes on Pennsylvania roadways in 2007. In contrast, there were just 56 crashes on the state’s roadways attributed to hands-free cell phones during the same year.
"We will save lives on our roadways by simply disconnecting Pennsylvania drivers from their hand-held cell phones," Shapiro explained. "The use of hand-held phones while driving is a dangerous driver distraction."
Under Shapiro’s bill, the use of hand-held cell phones while driving would be prohibited on all public roads in Pennsylvania. Exceptions would be provided for law enforcement officers, drivers of mass transit vehicles, operators of emergency vehicles when on duty, and leeway would be provided for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone when they fear for their safety, are reporting a traffic accident, or are making a 911 emergency call. A violation would be a summary offense and, upon conviction, a person would be required to pay a $50 fine. There would be no points assessed to a driver who violates this law.
In 2007, Shapiro introduced a similar measure co-sponsored by 44 members of the House. Unfortunately, the legislation stalled, preventing Pennsylvania from joining those states that have already enacted bans, including California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Utah and Washington, and the District of Columbia.
Shapiro represents the 153rd Legislative District in Montgomery County. For more information, visit www.pahouse.com/Shapiro.
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CONTACT: Laura Hanes
Office of Rep. Josh Shapiro
Phone: 215-517-6800
Fax: 215-517-6828
Email: lhanes@pahouse.net