PA Law Blogs » Bethlehem, PA

Bethlehem’s Cell Phone Ban Goes Into Effect

Michael Monheit — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:14:16 +0000

A ban on handheld cell phones passed by the Bethlehem City Council went into effect June 15. What this means for residents and those passing through Bethlehem is – talking, texting and e-mailing while driving are off-limits. If you are caught using a cell phone while driving, you could be slapped with a $100 fine. There is a grace period of one month.

Until August 14, drivers will only get warnings, according to a story on www.lehighvalleylive.com. But, beginning August 15, motorists who violate the city’s law will begin to get citations. The city still allows hands-free devices while driving. And, it is still legal to talk in a parked car that is not in gear. The only exceptions to the cell phone ban are police officers and emergency personnel who are using cell phones while on the job.

Bethlehem city officials passed this cell phone ban because there is no such statewide ban in Pennsylvania. Individuals are taking up the issue because the state’s legislators have not been able to get the job done. A number of states have enacted a cell phone and texting ban after several recent reports, including one by the federal government, have shown that cell phone use is one of the most common and deadliest forms of distracted driving in the nation. The federal government also recently issued a texting ban for commercial truck and bus drivers nationwide.

Bethlehem Passes Cell Phone Ban

Michael Monheit — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:55:13 +0000

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has become the second city in the Lehigh Valley to pass a cell phone ban. WFMZ News reports that Bethlehem, like neighbor Allentown, has made it illegal to talk on the cell phone while driving to help curb Pennsylvania cell phone accidents. Motorists will face a fine if they are caught talking, texting or surfing the Web while driving in Bethlehem.

These laws have touched off a debate in Pennsylvania about whether individual cities have the right to pass these laws. Officials of different cities differ in their opinion of how this law works. Some believe that a citation can be issued, but cities cannot demand that a fine be paid. But cities such as Allentown and Bethlehem, which have enacted these laws, say that they plan on collecting the fines as well.

Pennsylvania does not have a statewide cell phone ban yet. The State House of Representatives have approved cell phone prohibition while driving statewide, but it is yet to be approved by the Senate. Bethlehem’s cell phone ban will be effective on June 15. Drivers will face a $100 fine if caught after a 60-day warning period.

Distracted driving is a hot button issue for many cities and states now – as it should be. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all forms of distracted driving caused 515,000 injuries and 5,870 fatalities in 2008, nationally. It is time to act.

Hooked On Texting – Bethlehem, PA May Ban Hand-Held Cell Phone Use

Deborah Forrister — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:30:04 +0000

The crusade against cell phone-use, especially texting, while operating motor vehicles, or riding a bicycle or skateboard, has been at the forefront of concern in cities throughout the United States. Similar to situations in other states, distracted driving in Pennsylvania is a prominent problem that some cities are addressing more than others. While studies have compared drunk driving to the way in which a vehicle is operated by a motorist who is texting with their cell phone, Bethlehem, PA may be the next Lehigh Valley city to prohibit hand-held cell phone use while driving.

With more and more Pennsylvania cities taking initiative towards heightening the safety of its roads by banning cell phone use, it will be interesting to see how many other municipalities follow the example. According to a wfmz.com article, the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives passed a bill, which is in line to be examined by the state senate, prohibiting cell phone use on a state-wide level. While some may think that cell phone bans will not be productive; something must be done to help prevent accidents caused by cell phone use.

According to the most recent National Transportation Safety Board accident statistics, approximately 1.6 million or 28% of all auto accidents involved cell phone use. The article mentions that Bethlehem’s City Council voted 5 to 1 in favor of the cell phone ban, which would limit use to hands-free devices not only for motorists, but also for those riding bicycles and skateboards. If Bethlehem’s cell phone ban ordinance passes, the law prohibiting hand-held cell phone use would begin on June 1 with a “warning period” of two months. After that point, those who violate the cell phone law may be fined at least $50 and up to $100.

Bethlehem, PA car accident attorneys and those within the personal injury litigation field have seen first-hand the wide range of devastating effects that vehicle collisions caused by cell phone use can impose upon an innocent accident victim and his or her family. While it’s true that new traffic and vehicle ordinances within a city usually require additional funding for new signage or to compensate potential increases in police force hours of operation, the emotional cost of lives lost is far greater, and should not continue to be spent if new and more focused efforts can be implemented.

Bethlehem Hosted Foreclosure Scam Awareness Meeting

Deborah Forrister — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:09:13 +0000

When homeowners are feeling the strain of failing to make mortgage payments, where do they turn? It is understandable for homeowners facing the possibility of foreclosing their home to seek help from individuals claiming to be professionals. But how can a homeowner in Bethlehem protect himself or herself from becoming a victim of a Pennsylvania foreclosure scam?

A recent wfmz.com article reports that Bethlehem, Pennsylvania hosted a meeting led by U.S. Eastern District Attorney Michael Levy as he addressed the issue of foreclosure fraud with other officials. Especially with the wavering condition of our current economy, homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages cannot risk falling any deeper into financial loss. Having government officials recognize the threat of foreclosure scams and fraudulent actions targeted at vulnerable homeowners is a good step towards spreading the word and helping prevent further monetary devastation.

Those who commit fraud in scamming homeowners do a huge disservice to the housing market and to the financial well being of families who are also experiencing a rough time. Homeowners should be weary of anyone declaring that they will alter mortgages and stop a foreclosure from happening for a certain charge. The meeting in Bethlehem intended to also remind homeowners that various loan modifications for mortgages and related services are usually offered without a fee needing to be paid. So, if a “company” informs you that there is no need to respond to your bank’s paperwork or appear in court because they will make sure everything is taken care of, think twice about continuing forward with any sort of deal.