Pa. Senate OKs ban on texting by drivers

HARRISBURG -- "Txting n driving got 2 go."

That's the message from the state Senate, which on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill providing for $100 fines for motorists caught texting and driving.

The Senate bill would make texting-and-driving a primary offense and would make talking-and-driving a secondary offense, meaning drivers can be ticketed for it only if police stop them for another reason.

Talking on cell phones with a hands-free device would be permitted for experienced motorists but not for drivers with learner's permits or junior licenses.

The bill also outlaws emailing, browsing the Internet or instant messaging while driving.

Sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, R-Bucks, it passed, 41-8.

"When people are behind the wheel, they should be concentrating on the road and other drivers, not texting or talking on cell phones," Mr. Tomlinson said.

His proposal initially called for texting-and-driving to be a secondary offense, but an amendment offered Tuesday by Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, strengthened enforcement.

"I think it's a good compromise at this point," Mr. Tomlinson said, "but I don't believe this is the final version of this bill. I think there will be continued negotiation and compromise."

The Senate bill also restricts the number of young passengers in a car driven by a new driver unless a parent or guardian also is in the vehicle.

During the first six months of being licensed, a teen driver would be allowed only one passenger under age 18 who is not an immediate family member. After being licensed for six months but before reaching age 18, drivers who have not had an at-fault accident would be allowed to have a maximum of three passengers under 18 who are not immediate family members.

The bill now heads to the House, where a more stringent distracted-driving bill has stalled because of a disagreement over whether violations should be treated as primary or secondary offenses.

AAA is encouraged by the Senate's action, said Brian Newbacher, director of public affairs for the travel organization's East Central office, which includes western Pennsylvania.

"We are very supportive of banning texting while driving, and we support a complete ban on junior drivers using cell phones," he said.

AAA has taken no position on cell phone use by experienced adult drivers but educates its members about risks associated with it.

Mr. Ferlo, a longtime proponent of measures to reduce driving distractions, said the legislation is long overdue and that today's Senate vote is evidence of progress.

"As we have stalled, more and more lives have been affected by distracted driving," he said. "Talking on a cell phone and driving is dangerous, distracting and irresponsible no matter who is driving."

According to AAA, eight other states and the District of Columbia prohibit using hand-held phones while driving, and at least 30 states prohibit texting while driving.

Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tracie Mauriello: 717-787-2141 or tmauriello@post-gazette.com

First published on June 9, 2011 at 12:00 am