Cellphone ban moves to House
HARRISBURG - A bill that would impose a $100 fine on drivers in Pennsylvania for using wireless devices or talking on cellphones without a hands-free device passed the state Senate yesterday, as legislators try to wrap up a debate that dragged on for years in the Legislature.
HARRISBURG - A bill that would impose a $100 fine on drivers in Pennsylvania for using wireless devices or talking on cellphones without a hands-free device passed the state Senate yesterday, as legislators try to wrap up a debate that dragged on for years in the Legislature.
The bill, which passed, 41-8, goes to the House of Representatives, where a similar bill is being considered. House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, hopes to get a bill out of that chamber by the end of June, a spokesman said.
The sponsor of the Senate bill, Sen. Robert Tomlinson, R-Bucks, said it was important to deal with the "very deadly consequences of distracted driving" and called his bill a good compromise.
Under the bill, police could pull over a driver for using a wireless device for texting, emailing, Internet browsing or instant messaging. Police could cite a driver for talking on a cellphone without a hands-free device only if they already had pulled over the driver for a separate offense.
Hands-free cellphone use would still be permitted, except by drivers on a learner's permit or junior license.