Use of handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited in PA
By claire03
@claire03 (1443)
United States
October 10, 2007 12:40pm CST
hello mylot friends, i want to share this new law to all PA residents here so they will be aware of it.
Effective November 10, 2007 motorists in the state of Pennsylvania will be prohibited from using handheld mobile telephones while operating a vehicle. (House bill no. 1827) The bill states that "No driver shall operate any moving vehicle on a highway of this commonwealth, which shall include Federal, State and municipal highways, while using a handheld mobile telephone". the term handheld mobile telephone was defined as "a mobile telephone other than a hands-free mobile telephone wih which a user engages in a call using at least one hand". The new law does'nt apply to law enforcement officer and operators of emergency vehicles. there are defensible actions for the use of a handheld mobile telephone that is if the driver had reason to fear for the driver's safety, reporting traffic accident and making a "911" emergency call. A person who is found to violate this law will be sentenced to pay a $50 fine.
I think this is a good law since it can prevent drivers to getting into accidents. Hope everyone will cooperate and follow for the driver and passenger's safety.
6 people like this
16 responses
@wisconsin26 (3859)
• United States
10 Oct 07
It's like that all over though... I know in Wisconsin it's been a law for a long time... Cell phone are the most leading cause for accidents.. I don't think anyone should be on the phone anyway while driving.. I mean if you that bad and need a phone with you at all times something isn't right... I think anyone that does carry a cell phone should use it for emergencies only and nothing else.. Just my oppion!
2 people like this
@wisconsin26 (3859)
• United States
10 Oct 07
They don't care that's the problem with some people... As long as they can do what they want and not get caught they are ok with it... Which to me is really sad...I'd rather see someone get a ticket for being on a cell phone and caught than a accident where one is badly hurt..
1 person likes this
@claire03 (1443)
• United States
10 Oct 07
i think some drivers doesn't seem to care, they call whenever and whatever time they want. the thing is if they get into accident they include other people who is innocent. they risk their own safety and not concern about other's safety too. When can they learn? if it's too late?
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Oct 07
This is a good law and I hope that all the States use it, as well as all the provinces in Canada. I have seen people walk around, oblivious to everything around them, talking on their cell phones. It is more dangerous when you are behind the wheel of the car, with all that traffic, the weather, and the many distractions.
Even using a hands-free cellphone is not much better unless you have someone besides you making the call for you.
@claire03 (1443)
• United States
10 Oct 07
yes that's right suspenseful. it is really dangerous to make a call while driving. when i'm with my husband in a car i am the one who makes the important call for him while he is driving. i always tell him not to use his cellphone while he is driving cause i get worried too, cause we just don't know, it's is best to be careful all the time.
1 person likes this
@4mymak (1793)
• Malaysia
11 Oct 07
Using the handphone while driving IS ALREADY prohibited in my country.... BUT.... people still dont listen - we are "supposed to" use our hands-free kit if we need to use (speak on) the handphone - but, many still dont follow those rules..
Worst yet... some even TEXT MESSAGES while driving, or try to READ MESSAGES while driving - normally, when they're moving slow in heavy traffic... but i still find this very annoying because it is dangerous... these drivers are being selfish + have no concern about other people.
1 person likes this
@claire03 (1443)
• United States
11 Oct 07
this is true, i also seen some people who read and txt message while driving and it's a lot worse than talking on the phone cause you need to always look at it while reading and txting. Not all people follow the law unless something happens to them.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
10 Oct 07
Good for PA. When I first learned to drive, although that seems like many centuries ago, the local police could cite people for driving without both hands on the wheel. They didn't need a special law for each device. It doesn't take a lot of thought for a reasonably intelligent person to discern that it is a good idea to drive with both hands on the wheel.
2 people like this
@goodsign (2287)
• Malaysia
10 Oct 07
For safety reason I am 100 percent agree and the fine should be more than that, because we can use it by using hands-free kit. Many countries banned long time ago and PA is late in implementing this by-law. For me its a good news and not a warning or bad news. As safety take first.
But please not for smoking while driving because I am a chain-smoker...LOL!!!!
Thanks, Claire03....Forever Young.
2 people like this
@claire03 (1443)
• United States
10 Oct 07
i don't know why it's late here in Pennsylvania, but at least they are implementing this law now. i think this is needed so they can prevent a lot of people having accidents from using a mobile phone while driving. i don't know about smoking while driving forever young. i think they are ok with it, just depends on your passenger if they like it or not :) hope you have a nice day! God bless!
1 person likes this
@firefly007 (5)
• China
11 Oct 07
I think it's such a good law that forbidding using mobile phone when driving.In fact,there're so many accidents caused by distration while driving.Since now,people should adhere to the law for their safety.
@claire03 (1443)
• United States
11 Oct 07
yah they should but not all follow the law even if it's for their own safety, i think they will wait until they hit somebody or if they cause accident to them and other people. some people are just hard headed, and they will get away with it if they can.
1 person likes this
@usmcsgtwife (4997)
• United States
11 Oct 07
a law like this just passed here in California I agree with the law 100% it is just much safer
1 person likes this
@Cajunhellcat (2073)
• United States
12 Oct 07
I think all states should do it is very dangerous driving and talking or trying to dial a number on a phone
1 person likes this
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
11 Oct 07
I think that this is a very good thing. I wish this would be implemented in Ohio. I've almost gotten creamed twice by someone on a cell phone. I was taught that both hands belong on the wheel and I still adhere to that 27 years later.
@kelly60 (4547)
• United States
10 Oct 07
I have felt for some time that it was dangerous to use these while driving. I see people doing it all of the time, and often they just aren't paying as much attention to their driving as they are to their phone. I have always thought that if they must use the phone, that they should pull off of the road to do it.
1 person likes this
@eachen2002 (889)
• United States
11 Oct 07
I wish they would pass that here in Colorado.There sure is alot of going on and alot of people just feel they have the right to do it.
@kitty1234 (1476)
• United States
11 Oct 07
It has been a law in Conecticut for two years. If you are caught driving while on your cell phone it is an automatic fine of 250.00. It is a good law but people find ways around it. When they see a police car they drop their phones or use the speaker. I am not sure if it really saves anyone but it is good practice anyway.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Oct 07
I agree, it should be a federal law. I had a friend who was in an awful accident because the boy in the other car was talking on the cell phone and not paying attention to what he was doing and hit her head on and damn near killed her. She was touch and go for about two weeks in the hospital but she made it through and is now home. However she also has the bad case of Lupus and because of the trama she went through, she's not expected to live very long. It's so sad because she's such a sweet gal and was full of life only to be reduced to this rag doll of a gal. However prayers have been known to move mountains so maybe He'll move this one. I surely hope so.
1 person likes this
@shaggylife (6)
• United States
11 Oct 07
MY mom is a home business owner. She is on the phone 24/7. She probably woul not survive in PA. If they passed that law down in GA i guess we would be moving someplace else.
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
11 Oct 07
Good! Now someone get the empty flapping head politicians to work on actually enforcing speed limits! Don't stop until people start driving seriously instead of foolishly! Good work Pennsylvania. I bet it won't be over with just this, I can hear the 11th Commandment entitlement drivers crying about this one.
I say this. Less crap and distractions on the road. Less reckless driving. And for once actually drive with the safety of yourself and other drivers on the forefront instead of leaving it to selfish driving whims and irresponsible action.
1 person likes this
