'It will save lives': Bill banning cell phone use while driving passes Pa. House

HARRISBURG, — According to the Pew Research Center, a vast majority of Americans — 97% — now own a cellphone of some kind.

That number would point to a majority of Pennsylvanians with phones in their hands.

But if state lawmakers have their way, you’ll soon have to put the phone down behind the wheel of a car — or face the consequences.

The state House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that would ban hand-held devices while driving.

Lehigh Valley lawmakers split on the vote, with Democrats lending their full support.

“When I was a member of Allentown City Council, the first piece of legislation I introduced looked very similar to this,” state Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, said in a release.

“We passed that bill, but the brakes were immediately slammed on the effort as it became clear only state law could make such a ban.

"When the Senate concurs and Gov. Shapiro signs this legislation, Pennsylvania’s roads will be safer.”

Senate Bill 37

Senate Bill 37 would ban the use of hand-held cell phones and other similar devices while driving a vehicle. But it would make exceptions for things such as hands-free use or using a phone for emergencies and other items exempt under certain federal laws.

Unauthorized use would face a $50 fine, but increased penalties were lost in compromise, including fines upon conviction as high as $500 for repeat offenders.

The Senate already has passed the bill, but since it was changed in the House before Tuesday’s vote, it must now return to the Senate.

Those who voted for it are optimistic it will clear final hurdles in the Legislature.

That includes Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh, who said Friday the bill “gets back to the pragmatism of the legislative process” and that $50 fines bring “some accountability and help to raise the level of consciousness on the issue.”

Siegel said one of the more notable changes made to the bill — including a requirement that police collect demographic data during traffic stops — were important to recognize.

The amended legislation requires state police and municipal departments serving more than 5,000 people to collect information on things such as race and ethnicity of the driver.

The data then will be sent to state police or a designated third party for analysis and the creation of an annual report.

“We have to recognize there is sensitivity around traffic stops and bias," Siegel said. "We worked with members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus on what was a very bipartisan piece of legislation."

Additional opposition to the bill was tied to the belief that fines will disproportionately affect drivers who don't have the money to buy or lease a newer car with hands-free technology.

'Not only for yourself, but for everyone'

Schlossberg said his vote for the bill was, in part, because of the tragic story of Jacy Good, a college classmate of his who nearly died in a car accident caused by a distracted driver.

The crash took the lives of her parents on the day she graduated from college.

In the release, Schlossberg said one in eight fatal crashes involves a distracted driver, and about half of those fatalities are not the distracted driver — meaning somebody else is paying for their irresponsibility.

That's something his legislative colleague echoed.

“My belief is when you get behind the wheel of a car you are taking responsibility not only for yourself but for everyone around you," Siegel said.

"You are directly responsible, and we need to change the conversation of how someone’s individual act puts their life in jeopardy and the lives of other motorists and pedestrians because 50 percent of the people who die in these incidents are not the drivers.”

He said that in a city such as Allentown, it’s “a huge starting point for making our neighborhoods safer” for those commuting on foot or bike.

He said he believes that over time, the law and penalties will continue to be reevaluated.

“The one thing undeniable about this bill is that it will save lives," Siegel said. "It won’t stop everyone from being a distracted driver, but it will save lives.”

"Distracted driving causes countless unnecessary injuries and fatalities in the commonwealth,” state Sen. Nick Miller added.

“I stand in full support of this bill to make sure everyone operating a motor vehicle knows the full extent of their actions if they drive while using their cell phones. It can wait. I anticipate the Senate to continue moving the legislation with bipartisan support this spring.”