State Cell Phone Ban Rejected by PA Lawmakers

April 2009

Pennsylvania lawmakers have struck down legislation that would have banned the use of hand-held cellular devices while driving. Instead, they voted for $50 fines if motorists are caught driving recklessly and then found to be talking on a cell phone.

The bill would have made talking on a cell phone while driving a primary offense. This means that a police officer could stop a car if they saw the driver talking on a cell phone. It would have also made it illegal to send text messages while driving. Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, who introduced the bill, said that state records show that there have been almost 7,000 accidents on Pennsylvania roads since 2002 involving a driver who was using a hand-held device. He also said that there were only 425 accidents in which the driver was using a hands-free device such as Bluetooth.

Those who voted against the bill cited several reasons for their decision. Some attributed it to poor wording that would make proper enforcement of the bill difficult. Others said they felt the bill should address additional dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, such as eating or not wearing a seat belt.