A new state law in Pennsylvania has come into force today which required drivers to pull over and stop if they wish to use text-based communications on mobile devices. The new law covers the use of phones, computers and other devices to send emails, texts or other distracted behavours to curb the amount of people driving distracted and posing a serious threat to people around them.
It’s time to think twice before picking up that phone while driving. A texting while driving ban is now in effect in Pennsylvania. The ban begins today and breaking the law will cost you.
Next time that text or email alert sounds on your phone, and you are behind the wheel in Pennsylvania, think twice about sending a response. It could cost you.
“I know some people they kind of pride themselves on being able to text and drive without, making it look like that they can,” said Jordan Delogu.
The texting while driving ban went into effect today at 12:01 a.m. The bill makes it illegal for anyone to send, read or write text on their phones, PDA’s or computers. State police attribute 14,000 accidents in Pennsylvania, in 2010, to distracted driving, with almost 1,100 of those tied directly to cell phone usage.
In other countries, talking on a mobile phone while driving is already against the law., concentration while driving is paramount for safety.
“As soon as you look the other way, it’s that one second that you’re looking away that something can happen. It’s just way too dangerous,” said driver Sheri Riley.
“I think the public has wanted this for a long time,” said Representative Eugene DePasquale, (D) York.
The bill is simple, no more texting or emailing while driving. The law is a primary offense which means police officers can stop a driver for that offense alone. The fine is $50. The new law does not include the use of GPS or cell phone calls.
“We know that once it gets enforced and people start getting fined, we know they`ll stop doing it,” said DePasquale.
Studies show texting drivers are 163 times more likely to get into an unsafe incident while distracted. And while it will take some getting used to, most drivers say safety is paramount.
Many believe the texting while driving ban is the first step towards a complete ban of cell phone usage in the car. Nine states and the District of Columbia already have a ban on talking while driving. Some Pennsylvania lawmakers even say such legislation could be discussed during this session.
YOURS recently featured an article on the dangers of smartphones behind the wheel as published by the Institute of Advanced Motorists UK.
While the law in Pennsylvania bans texting while driving, YOURS believes in a full road safety system approach; appropriate laws, enforcement coupled with awareness of the issue for safer road user decisions will go some way in curbing the growing trend of distracted driving. In our previous article on the danger of smartphones behind the wheel, the Insitute of Advanced Motorists UK (IAM) found that using a phone for texting and emailing is more dangerous than drink driving!
YOURS urges young people to leave the phone alone behind the wheel as the risk of a road crash is heightened; as a demographic already vulnerable to road crashes, young people must be smarter behind the wheel to avoid putting their lives in unnecessary danger. In Canada, the ‘Leave the Phone Alone’ initiative which asked young people to take a pledge to drive safely and leave technology for times away from the wheel.
Young Canadians were asked to take a pledge to ‘Leave the Phone Alone’ back in 2010.
The World Health Organization issued a report last year which stated; It is now evident that if you are using a mobile phone while driving you are approximately four times more likely to be involved in a crash than a driver who is not using a phone. This risk appears to be similar for both hand-held and hands-free phones, because it is the cognitive distraction that is an issue, not only the physical distraction associated with holding the phone. Text messaging appears to have an even more severe impact on driving behaviour and crash risk.
Along with avoiding technology behind the wheel, YOURS asks its members to take the Road Safety Commitment some simple steps to bolster our safety as young road users.