Pennsylvania is set to join the majority of states that ban motorists from handling a cell phone for almost any purpose while driving. The bill, which will be signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro, aims to reduce distracted driving accidents and deaths. This legislation comes 18 years after a similar bill was first introduced by Shapiro when he served in the state House of Representatives. The ban is expected to take effect a year after it is signed into law and includes a provision to collect and report data on traffic stops to prevent racial profiling.
The bill successfully passed both chambers of the state Legislature, bringing Pennsylvania in alignment with neighboring states’ laws on motorists’ cell phone use. Senator Rosemary Brown has been advocating for more than a decade to strengthen Pennsylvania’s restriction on cell phone use while driving. According to Brown, the passage of this bill is a monumental victory that will protect drivers, prevent crashes, and save lives. The legislation allows police to ticket drivers who are handling their phones for almost any reason, with exceptions for hands-free use such as making phone calls or using navigation systems.
Exceptions to the cell phone ban include navigational use and alerting emergency responders. Offenders who cause serious accidents could face more severe penalties, including fines and potential prison time. Governor Shapiro emphasized the importance of the bill, describing it as a common-sense measure to address the dangers of distracted driving. Crashes involving distracted drivers have decreased in Pennsylvania over the past decade, but it remains a significant cause of accidents in the state. Twenty-eight states already have laws banning cell phone use while driving.
The legislation also includes a requirement for police departments to collect and report data on traffic stops, which was advocated for by the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. The caucus members were concerned about potential abuses of power by law enforcement in targeting racial minorities. Collecting data on traffic stops is seen as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in policing. The data to be reported includes details on the reason for the stop, demographics of the driver, and any vehicle searches conducted.
The Pennsylvania State Police have already begun voluntarily collecting and reporting traffic stop data, but the new law will standardize the process across all police departments. The data will help identify any disparities in traffic stops based on race, ethnicity, age, and gender. Despite efforts to address racial profiling, a report showed that troopers were more likely to search Black and Hispanic drivers compared to white drivers. The data collection requirement will take effect in a year and a half, following the implementation of the cell phone ban, which will have a grace period for violators to receive warnings.
