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