New PA Legislation Proposed to Ban Behind the Wheel Cell Phone Use
The Delaware County Times reports that Senator Andrew E. Dinniman (Chester and Montgomery counties) plans to introduce a bill on March 4 in the Senate to address distracted driving. According to the article, the bill would ban hand-held cell phones and texting while driving, and would only allow hands-free cell phone use only for adult drivers age 18 and older.
The U.S. Department of Transportation describes distracted driving as any non-driving activity that has the potential to distract a person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. The three main types of distraction are visual, manual, and cognitive. Texting is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distraction, since it causes a driver to take their eyes away from the road, their hands off of the steering wheel, and their mind off of what they’re doing.
Many states have added laws prohibiting the use of cell phones without hands-free devices. Distracted driving has become a large issue in the U.S. and states are constantly adding some form of cell phone talking or texting ban to make cell phone usage while driving a motor vehicle illegal.
Distracted driving is illegal and any activity that decreases your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is against the law. If you or someone you love has been in a serious car accident and you believe it was caused by the other driver who was distracted by using their cell phone to text or place a phone call, you may be entitled for compensation for your losses. For more information, contact the experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation.
