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Pa. Passes Texting While Driving Ban

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Bob Allen

Reporting Bob Allen

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pennsylvania will join dozens of other states in banning texting while driving.

The bill passed the state Senate Tuesday and Governor Tom Corbett is expected to sign it.

The new law will allow police to pull over drivers who are texting.

It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t think texting and driving is dangerous.

“I have a friend whose daughter was in a very serious accident – had her legs broken from somebody who crashed into her that was texting,” Marie Latagliata said.

McKees Rocks Police Chief Robert Cifrulak is president of the Western Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association. He wants all drivers to get the message.

“There’s studies that demonstrate that the effect on driving – texting while driving – is as bad if not worse than drinking while driving,” Cifrulak said.

He admits the law will be difficult to enforce, but he thinks it will be a strong deterrent.

“If the law is in place then it elevates it amongst parents when they educate their youngsters on driving, you know that this is the law,” he said.

The penalty for texting and driving will be $50, but under the new law, police will not have the right to take your cell phone.

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View Comments
  • Level Green

    Nothing like passing a law that can’t be enforced and making a huge publicity stunt…. Leave it to the PA legislature.

    If they were serious about driver safety they would ban cell phone calls but alas, too many donations from Verizon Wireless to too many legislators…

  • Bea

    Really?! What in the world do they think is going to stop with this bill?! Almost impossible to enforce, plus,$50? That’s probably half what they pay a month for the stupid phone! And, it can’t be taken, so they can drive off & text everyone about their stupid ticket! A better law would be if you are in an accident while texting, automatic time in jail. PA…tough on nothing.

  • Alice

    There are already laws about distracted driving, how about if you cause an accident you get in trouble. Currently police don’t even lay blame on accidents, they let the insurance companies do it so why should we add another law that doesn’t get enforced or is needed if other laws are followed.

  • Greg

    Great.Enforce it and make our roads safer.

  • gman

    It doesn`t go far enough. Talking on the phone while driving should be a $1,000 fine. They were so anxious to protect us from the mythical dangers of second hand smoke but we`re on our own with the cell phone menace.

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