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GUEST COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep. Josh Shapiro State Rep. Eugene
DePasquale |
Disconnecting distracted drivers to make Pennsylvania’s roads safer
By state Reps. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery and Eugene DePasquale, D-York
As we take to the roads to share the holidays with family and friends, we wanted to remind Pennsylvanians of one simple thing they can do to make sure all of us arrive safely to our destinations: don’t use your cell phone while driving unless you have a hands-free option.
A recent 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. 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. Additionally, the state police report that 1,245 accidents on Pennsylvania’s roadways in 2007 involved a driver who was using a hand-held cell phone compared to just 56 accidents with a driver using a hands-free device.
We have long advocated for a statewide ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. In 2007, we sponsored legislation that would prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones with exemptions for hands-free devices and law enforcement and emergency workers. This would ban texting while driving and would require drivers to use a hands-free device to talk on their cell phone. Unfortunately, our legislation remains stalled, preventing Pennsylvania from joining the six other states that have already enacted statewide bans.
Driving while holding a cell phone or texting is just plain reckless. In view of increased congestion, holiday revelers and the dangerous weather conditions of the holiday season, we need to dedicate our full attention to the road now more than ever. Please, if you must use your cell phone, pull over or use a hands-free device. Such devices are relatively cheap, easy to use and have been proven again and again to increase driver awareness and accuracy behind the wheel.
Here’s wishing all of you a happy, healthy and safe holiday! Come the New Year and a new legislative session, we’ll be working hard for you to make our roadways safer.
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