Siri-ously: talk, don’t text, while driving in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's new mobile device law goes into effect today. So you can talk on your smart phone on the drive to work - just don't text.

The law from Harrisburg supersedes Philadelphia's stricter mobile phone driving ban.

The statewide law gives police authority to pull over those texting and issue a $50 fine. It prohibits motorists from sending texts or emails while driving, but still allows them to talk on a mobile device.

In New Jersey, all mobile device use is banned while driving. An exception is made for hands-free setups.

Pennsylvania's new law also comes at a time when many texts are now spoken through voice recognition software, blurring the line between talk and text.

Many smart phones, including those using Android and Apple operating systems, have voice recognition software enabling texting drivers to 'speak' their messages.

Using voice recognition would appear to violate the ban since a text is still being sent.

The bill states that a driver can't use a wireless device to, "send, read or write a text based communication while the vehicle is in motion."

It then further attempts to draw a distinction between typing a text and typing commands for a phone call.

But it's unclear how officers observing a motorist will know if that person is 'talking' to the iPhone's Siri, or talking to a person named Siri without confiscating the device.

The law does not pertain to GPS devices or systems that are built into a car or truck.

Authorities blame 14,000 crashes in Pennsylvania in 2010 on distracted driving in which 68 people died.