Texting Amendment Fails in House

The state House has rejected a proposal to prohibit using hand-held cell phones or sending text messages while driving.The proposal would have imposed a $50 fine and made violations a primary offense, meaning police could have pulled over motorists only because they were seen using cell phones.Among the issues debated was what it means to actually operate a motor vehicle. Representative John Maher is one of the people who spoke against the amendment."So under Pennsylvania law, this amendement would have the effect that a mother wating outside a school, parked in a school parking lot, waiting for children to complete a school activity, while she's talking on her cell phone, she would be committing a crime," Maher said.Debate continues on other amendments to the underlying bill addressing teen driving safety, including proposals to address the issue of distracted motorists.
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