A measure in Pennsylvania that would have banned using cell phones while driving was voted down this week. State Representative Josh Shapiro (D., Montgomery) proposed a bill that would have made it a moving violation if a driver in the state was caught talking on their cell phone while trying to operate a motor vehicle. With the proposed legislation, talking on a cell phone would have been a primary offense.
However, Republicans in the state’s House of Representatives said the bill was poorly worded and too penalizing for drivers. They also said it was like a “sneak tax increase,” according to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer. State Representative Chris Ross (R., Chester) proposed a similar bill that would allow police officers to ticket drivers for using their cell phone if they are pulled over for careless driving while talking on their phone. But this would make the offense a secondary one.
Representative Shapiro had this to say about his bill not passing: “I’m not going a away. This is a fight worth fighting and I’m going to continue to press the case.”
Whether it’s against the law or not, make a habit of not using your cell phone when you are driving your new or used cars around. You should focus on the road ahead instead of talking about what you are going to do Friday night.