PA State Rep.looks to ban handheld cell phones while driving

Pennsylvania State Rep. Joe Markosek, from Allegheny County, plans to introduce legislation this fall that would ban drivers from talking on  handheld cell phones, reported the Morning Call. New drivers would be prohibited from using any handheld device while driving including GPS.

Markosek formerly served as the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, where he spearhead at least three previous failed efforts to pass a handheld cell phone ban.

Thirty-nine states, along with Washington D.C., Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. An additional 5 states prohibit text messaging by new drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Just 10 states, along with Washington D.C., Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban drivers from using handheld cell phones while they’re behind the wheel. Except for Maryland and West Virginia (until July 2013) all laws are primary offenses, reported the Morning Call.

To read more: http://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2012/09/western-pa-lawmaker-tries-again-on-cell-phone-ban-for-drivers.html