Looks like Pennsylvania is trying to keep up with Lower Chichester.
You may remember a few years back the good folks down in Lower Chi decided to take matters into their own hands by outlawing the use of hand-held cell phones while driving on township streets.
They took a lot of heat for the move, with many wondering if they had the authority to do so (many think that regulating driving lies solely with the state Legislature), whether or not they could enforce it, and if they did if any fine or penalty would hold up in court.
What no one argued is that township officials were trying to make their streets safer.
Now, it looks like the state agrees.
The state House yesterday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban use of a cell phone that does not utilize a hands-free device. That, of course, would include today’s ubiquitous technology du jour, the text message.
The measure, which would include a fine of $50 for violators, could get a final vote in the House today. It then would move to the Senate, where its fate is still up in the air.
One of the votes against comes from right here in Delaware County.
Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166, believes the measure is a little heavy-handed.
“In the real world of driving, I fear it’s going to make us all into criminals,” Vitali said.
He may be right.
But if it’s going to mean one less person out there texting while eating lunch and cruising down the Blue Route at 70 mph, I’m all for it.
The folks down in Lower Chi were right. Now it’s time for the state to get on board.
You may remember a few years back the good folks down in Lower Chi decided to take matters into their own hands by outlawing the use of hand-held cell phones while driving on township streets.
They took a lot of heat for the move, with many wondering if they had the authority to do so (many think that regulating driving lies solely with the state Legislature), whether or not they could enforce it, and if they did if any fine or penalty would hold up in court.
What no one argued is that township officials were trying to make their streets safer.
Now, it looks like the state agrees.
The state House yesterday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban use of a cell phone that does not utilize a hands-free device. That, of course, would include today’s ubiquitous technology du jour, the text message.
The measure, which would include a fine of $50 for violators, could get a final vote in the House today. It then would move to the Senate, where its fate is still up in the air.
One of the votes against comes from right here in Delaware County.
Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166, believes the measure is a little heavy-handed.
“In the real world of driving, I fear it’s going to make us all into criminals,” Vitali said.
He may be right.
But if it’s going to mean one less person out there texting while eating lunch and cruising down the Blue Route at 70 mph, I’m all for it.
The folks down in Lower Chi were right. Now it’s time for the state to get on board.
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