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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Josh Shapiro |
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Shapiro testifies before Transportation Committee on cell phone ban
HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, testified today at a hearing of the House Transportation Committee on his legislation that would ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Contrary to incorrect e-mails received last week by many Pennsylvanians that said a ban on cell phones while driving had been passed, today’s hearing was the first legislative action taken on the bill.
Earlier today, Shapiro’s legislation was endorsed at a news conference by Sen. Connie Williams, D-Montgomery and police officials at the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police. Additionally, Verizon Wireless and AT&T voiced support for the legislation at the hearing.
The use of hand-held cell phones while driving is a dangerous driver distraction which contributed to 1,241 crashes in 2006 on Pennsylvania roadways, according to PennDOT. 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 No. 1 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 steered more accurately, 100 percent of drivers had faster brake time and 92 percent of drivers 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 would be provided for law enforcement officers and operators of emergency vehicles when on duty, and leeway would be provided for drivers using 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.
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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CONTACT: Mike Storm |