Post-Gazette: Bill to ban driving and phoning introduced
State lawmakers are looking to ban cell phone use while driving. This was also introduced in 2007 (1) (2) to no avail.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
By Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG — Beware you drivers who talk on hand-held cell phones or text-message while you’re behind the wheel. Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, is coming after you.
He has introduced House Bill 538, which would require drivers to use hands-free devices if they want to talk on their cell phone while driving. And no sending text messages while driving. It’s an effort to reduce “distracted driving.”
It’s a controversial measure, with some critics claiming Mr. Shapiro favors “nanny government,” but he said support in the Legislature is growing. When he introduced this bill four years ago, it had only 31 co-sponsors. Now he has 67 co-sponsors, in both parties.
