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The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed a law prohibiting drivers from sending text messages or otherwise composing written messages (email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) while driving.  The prohibition does not include devices used “exclusively” for the purpose of navigation or the act of dialing a phone number while driving.   Drivers caught texting while driving will face a $50 fine.

While earlier drafts of the law made the violation a secondary offense, the law as passed makes texting while driving a primary offense.  In other words, police officers can pull drivers over “just” for texting while driving.  No other motor vehicle code violation is required to justify the stop.  The law now goes to Governor Tom Corbett for final approval.  If approved, the law will take effect in 120 days.

 

For more information, go to:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11306/1186784-454.stm

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0314&pn=1724

2 Responses to “In the News: PA passes law banning texting while driving”

  1. Paul Betzler says:

    It is great how Pennsylvania is trying to make the roads safer for people. However, how can texting while driving be a distraction and dangerous and talking and dialing people’s number isn’t. They enacted a law for texting while driving. Dialing a phone number is just as much a distraction as texting.

  2. I think this one should have the same grounds with mobile calls as they disrupt driver’s attention while maneuvering the wheels.

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