Pennsylvania Considering Cell Phone Ban While Driving

Pennsylvania may be the next state to make using a hand held cell phone while behind the wheel of a car illegal.

State representative, John Shapiro (D), has re-introduced a bill that will punish drivers for double-tasking with a hand held phone while driving.

The ban would prohibit hand held cell phone use on all public roads of the Keystone state. Those exempt from the proposed ban include law enforcement officials, mass transit drivers and emergency vehicle operators.

John Shapiro said, “We will save lives on our roadways by simply disconnecting Pennsylvania drivers from their hand-held cell phones.”

If the bill is passed, drivers caught using a hand held phone will be imposed with a $50.00 fine, but no points will be assessed on their Driver’s license.

In July 2008, California and the state of Washington implemented law that prohibits text messaging and/or using a hand held cell phone while driving. In California, a first offense will cost a driver $20.00, but a swinging scale increases the fine for repeated offenses. In Washington, tickets cost a driver $124.00.