|
GUEST COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State Rep. Josh Shapiro |
|
|
State Rep. Eugene
DePasquale |
|
July 24, 2008
Work to make Pennsylvania’s roads safer not complete
By state Reps. Josh Shapiro and Eugene DePasquale
On Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complied with a freedom of information request and released data, which it had hid from the public, revealing it has had very serious concerns about the use of cell phones while driving since 2002. While it is not news that talking on your hand-held cell phone or texting while driving is a dangerous driver distraction, it is a reminder that our work to make Pennsylvania’s roads safer is not complete.
We have long advocated for a statewide ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, and we have sponsored legislation to prohibit this deadly practice in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, our proposal came just five votes short of passing the House of Representatives in April, but we have continued to fight for this critical public safety measure.
Since we first began our efforts to ban the use of hand-held cell phones and texting while driving, we have found study after study stating the dangers of driving while distracted. We have continued to build support from our constituents, and in fact, a recent Quinnipiac University Poll found nearly 90 percent of Pennsylvanians in favor of our proposal.
The data released by the NHTSA adds to the list of research from Virginia Tech, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Utah, which shows that drivers who text or 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.
Our proposal would make talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving a primary offense punishable by a $50 fine. Exemptions are made for hands-free devices, law enforcement and emergency workers. Our legislation is an important step in making Pennsylvania roads safer from distracted drivers. It’s time for the House to pass this crucial bill that will save lives in Pennsylvania.
##
Shapiro represents the 153rd Legislative District in Montgomery County. For more information, visit www.pahouse.com/Shapiro.
DePasquale represents the 95th Legislative District in York County. For more information, visit www.pahouse.com/DePasquale.