Here's an Associated Press story about a bill that would ban texting while driving. The state House's Transportation Committee unanimously approved it, and it's now going to the floor for approval.
Just to make sure, I checked in with state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester. He confirmed that, yes, it's the same legislation he tried to get passed earlier this year.
In April, DePasquale tried to introduce the ban as an amendment to a bill designed to improve teen safety on the road. The House narrowly defeated it, then passed a bill that would impose an additional $50 fine on those caught driving carelessly if they were also using a hand-held device.
So why the initial rejection? Is there really anybody out there who thinks texting while driving is a GOOD thing? As I mentioned to DePasquale during a phone conversation earlier today, it seems like the kind of thing that would be about as controversial as, say, a ban on smacking toddlers with socks full of steel ball bearings.
DePasquale has a theory about that, which he first voiced back in April.
The amendment from April that dealt with texting also included a ban on using a cell phone while driving. State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, proposed the cell phone ban.
At the time, Shapiro was talking about running for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat next year. DePasquale believes some Republicans voted against the amendment because they didn't want to give Shapiro a political victory that he could use to his advantage in the Senate race.
Since then, the current occupant of that Senate seat -- Arlen Specter -- has changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. Congressman Joe Sestak is challenging Specter in next year's Democratic primary, but Shapiro has long since dropped out of the race.
DePasquale hopes the Transportation Committee approval means his colleagues in the House will now realize the down side of driving while simultaneously trying to type on a minuscule keyboard. Like ... you know ... possibly killing yourself and anybody else on the road with you.
Here's the story ...
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- A bill to bar text messaging while driving in Pennsylvania is headed to the House floor.
The bill won a unanimous vote of support Tuesday from the House Transportation Committee.
The legislation would ban texting by all drivers and prohibit drivers under 18 from using hand-held cell phones when they're behind the wheel.
The bill would make violations a primary offense, meaning police could stop drivers if officers witness them breaking the law. The penalty would be a $50 fine, or $100 if the violation occurs in a school or work zone.
However, insurers could not increase premiums of drivers for violating the law.
The sponsor, Rep. Joe Markosek, D-Allegheny, said he hopes floor action will be taken before the end of the year.
Lots of luck enforcing this law if it passes and I hope it does. But why not put some teeth into the bill? A fifty dollar fine will not deter anybody and why does it make a difference if texting is done in or out of a school zone. Texting while driving is so dangerous any where at any time that the minumum fine should be at least $500.00 for the first offense.
BTW--am I the only one concerned about all the screens drivers of vehicles now have available to them while driving. Laptops, GPS, cells, videos and probably others I'm not familiar with. I watched recently a real estate agent drive up the street, slow down in front of my house to make a left turn into another street. His laptop, which he was glancing down at, was situated between his chest and the steering wheel! Perfect spot for the new netbooks too.
I hate to say it, but I'm afraid a real crackdown won't start until there are enough high-profile accidents caused by distracted drivers.
Personally, I think it's nuts that a law banning texting while driving is even necessary. It's kind of like a law banning driving with a bag over your head. You'd think people's basic survival instincts would tell them it's not a good idea.
And yeah, it bugs me to think of the number of visual distractions people are driving with these days. It's not just visual distractions, either.
What really pisses me off are these huge car speakers that aren't only deafeningly loud, but installed facing OUTWARD! As far as I'm concerned, those things should be illegal. I'm all for civil liberties. But I see no point in allowing the sale of something that has no conceivable use other than annoying and distracting other drivers on the road, thereby potentially causing accidents.