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For Immediate
Release
6/27/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Senate
Approves Amendment to Ban Hand-Held Cell Phone Use
by
Pennsylvania Motorists
Law
Would Make Offense Punishable by $250 Fine
HARRISBURG -- The
state Senate today approved an amendment that would prohibit the use of
hand-held cell phones while driving in Pennsylvania, according to Senator Joe
Conti (R-10), who sponsored the measure.
House
Bill 804 would make using a hand-held cell phone while driving a summary
offense punishable by a $250 fine. Conti stressed that motorists would
have to be pulled over for another traffic offense before they can be
charged with using a hand-held cell phone.
The
measure specifies that a driver cannot talk or listen on a hand-held
mobile telephone that is held to their ear, Conti said. An exception
would be made for emergency calls or to report a traffic accident.
Also, law enforcement and emergency vehicle operators would be exempt
from the ban when acting in their official capacities. Hands-free cell
phone use would be permitted, the senator noted.
"Studies show that more and more motorists are driving while using
hand-held cell phones, and that accidents resulting from this problem
are skyrocketing," Conti said. According to the National Highway
Transportation and Safety Administration, he explained, the number of
drivers using hand-held phones has risen from 5 percent to 6 percent
over the past year.
"This
means that at any given moment, 974,000 vehicles are being operated by
someone using a hand-held cell phone," Conti said. "Using a cell phone
or any wireless device is the number-one distraction behind the wheel
according to the NHTSA. As a result, distracted drivers are three times
as likely to be involved in a crash." Since 2000, Conti noted, the
number of accidents involving cell phones Pennsylvania has more than
quadrupled. In 2004 alone, motorists using hand-held phones contributed
to more than 1,170 crashes in the Commonwealth.
"Cell
phones cause drivers to look away from the roadway," said Conti. "They
cause drivers to fumble around as they try to dial or listen or speak.
And they make drivers stop paying attention to what they're doing, which
is driving a potentially deadly weapon. Anyway you look at it, it's a
recipe for disaster.
"It's
time we take this growing problem seriously and outlaw hand-held cell
phones on Pennsylvania's highways, roads and streets. This legislation
will save lives and property, and it needs to become law as soon as
possible."
The
amended bill is expected to be voted on during the Senate's Wednesday,
June 28 session.
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