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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Josh Shapiro |
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Shapiro testifies to Transportation Committee on cell phone ban
PITTSBURGH, March 5 – State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D- Montgomery, testified today at a House Transportation Committee hearing on his legislation (H.B. 1827) that would ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
At today's hearing at the Southwest Planning Commission Building in Pittsburgh, Shapiro revived efforts to disconnect distracted drivers in Pennsylvania and called on the committee to send his bill to the full House for a vote this spring.
Shapiro believes the use of hand-held cell phones while driving is a dangerous driver distraction, citing PennDOT data that indicates the devices contributed to 1,241 crashes in 2006 on Pennsylvania roadways. In contrast, there were just 60 crashes in 2006 on the state’s roadways attributed to hands-free cell phones.
A Virginia Tech and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration study found that cell phones are the top distraction for drivers, and distracted drivers are three times as likely to be involved in a crash.
“We will save lives on our roadways by simply disconnecting distracted drivers from their hand-held cell phones,” Shapiro said.
Another study by Design Science, a Philadelphia-based product design research firm, found that when drivers used a hands-free device as opposed to a hand-held cell phone, 71 percent of drivers steered more accurately, 100 percent had faster brake times, and 92 percent maintained more consistent speeds.
Under Shapiro’s proposal, the use of hand-held cell phones while driving would be prohibited on all public roads in Pennsylvania. Exceptions are provided for law enforcement officers and operators of emergency vehicles when on duty, and there is leeway 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. Upon conviction, a person would be required to pay a $50 fine.
Shapiro is deputy speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and represents the 153rd Legislative District in Montgomery County. For more information about Shapiro, please visit www.pahouse.com/Shapiro.
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