Current:Home > ScamsPennsylvania to ban cell phone use while driving and require police to collect traffic stop data -Stellar Wealth Sphere
Pennsylvania to ban cell phone use while driving and require police to collect traffic stop data
View
Date:2025-04-13 03:19:18
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania will join the majority of states that ban motorists from handling a cell phone for almost any purpose while driving, as backers of the legislation hope to reduce distracted driving accidents and deaths after nearly two decades of pressing the measure.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office said Thursday that the Democrat will sign the bill, 18 years after he first introduced a similar bill when he served in the state House of Representatives. The ban will take effect a year after he signs it, which is expected in the coming days.
The bill also includes a provision long-sought by the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus as a bulwark against racial profiling. That provision requires bigger police departments, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police, to collect and publicly report data on traffic stops, including a driver’s race.
The bill passed both chambers of the state Legislature this week and will bring Pennsylvania into alignment with the law on motorists’ cell phone use in every one of its neighboring states. Currently, Pennsylvania’s restriction on cell phone use while driving applies only to texting.
Sen. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe, had pushed for more than a decade to toughen Pennsylvania’s restriction on cell phone use while driving. Its passage is a “monumental victory” for Pennsylvania that will protect drivers, prevent crashes and save lives, Brown said in a statement.
Under the bill, police can ticket a driver who is handling their phone for almost any reason. Drivers can still use their phone to make phone calls or for other functions, such as listening to music, if they are using it hands-free with technology such as a docking station, Bluetooth or speakers.
The ban applies to motorists sitting in traffic or stopped at a traffic light, but does not include a driver who has parked on the side of the road or another place where the vehicle can remain stopped safely.
Other exceptions include for navigational use or alerting emergency responders. A first offense is punishable by a $50 fine.
Shapiro called the bill “common sense.”
“I’ve met too many families that have an empty seat at the dinner table because of distracted driving. I’ve met too many people with injuries that they’re going to live with for the rest of their lives because they were hit by a distracted motorist,” Shapiro told WILK-FM radio in Pittston during an interview last month.
Crashes where a distracted driver was a contributing factor are down in Pennsylvania in the past decade, as crashes overall have declined, according to state data.
In some years, it was the second-leading cause of accidents. In 2022, it was the third-leading cause. That was behind speed and improper turning, but ahead of drinking alcohol, careless passing and tailgating.
Twenty-eight states already ban cell phone use while driving, according information from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Meanwhile, at least 23 states have laws on collecting data on traffic stops, the group said.
Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, the chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, said caucus members were concerned that police could abuse a broad new power to pull over motorists and use it to target racial minorities.
Caucus members viewed the traffic stop data provision as important for accountability, Nelson said.
“I think this will be a significant win for transparency and help to continue building trust between community members and those who are sworn to serve and protect,” Nelson said in an interview.
Data that police must report includes the reason for the stop, details from a search of the vehicle and the race, ethnicity, age and gender of the driver who was stopped. Police forces that serve municipalities under 5,000 people are exempt from the requirement.
The data collection requirement takes effect in a year and a half. After the cell phone ban takes effect, drivers get a grace period of another year in which they only receive a written warning for violating it.
Offenders who cause serious accidents could get more time in prison.
In cases where the offender is convicted of homicide by vehicle, a court can add a sentence of up to five years. In cases where the offender is convicted of aggravated assault by vehicle, a court can add a sentence of up to two years.
___
Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter.
veryGood! (77)
Related
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- The Powerball jackpot has reached $925 million. Here are the top 10 jackpots in Powerball history
- 9 years after mine spill in northern Mexico, new report gives locals hope for long-awaited cleanup
- Wisconsin Senate committee votes against confirmation for four DNR policy board appointees
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Suspect Captured in Murder of Tech CEO Pava LaPere
- Europe sweeps opening session in Ryder Cup to put USA in 4-0 hole
- Extremist attack kills at least 12 soldiers in Niger as jihadi violence increases post-coup
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Trump drops bid to move Georgia election case to federal court
Ranking
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Bermuda probes major cyberattack as officials slowly bring operations back online
- Who among a sea of celebrities makes Deion Sanders say 'wow'? You'll never guess.
- After Libya's catastrophic floods, survivors and recovery teams assess losses
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Man arrested in shooting at Lil Baby concert in Memphis
- Slovakia election pits a pro-Russia former prime minister against a liberal pro-West newcomer
- McCarthy vows to move forward with House bill to avert shutdown despite GOP holdouts
Recommendation
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution
Tesla sued by EEOC for allegedly allowing a racist and hostile work environment
California man who shot two sheriff’s deputies in revenge attack convicted of attempted murder
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Trump's N.Y. business empire is 'greatly at risk' from judge's fraud ruling
Dunkin' announces new bracelet collaboration for National Coffee Day
The White House chief of staff says it's on House Republicans to avert a shutdown