Legislation that bans texting while driving was signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on Nov. 9, 2011. Introduced by Sen. Robert Tomlinson (R-Bucks), Senate Bill 314 (now Act 98) makes reading, writing, or sending a message while driving a primary offense, meaning police officers could stop drivers for this violation alone.
This new law takes effect March 8, 2012, and the fine for a violation is $50.
SB 314 previously passed the House by a vote of 188-7 on Oct. 31, 2011, the Senate by a vote of 41-8 on June 8, 2011, and received a concurrence vote from the Senate on Nov. 1, 2011.
During the past few legislative sessions, the General Assembly has attempted to pass legislation to impose this ban, but the legislative caucuses had failed to reach an agreement in the past.
Read the statement issued by Marilyn Heine, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED), on Nov. 4, 2011.
PAMED also supports a ban on talking on a handheld cell phone while driving. HB 146, which addresses cell phone use while driving, may soon be considered by the House.