Bill Text: PA SB143 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Providing for prohibiting the operation of motor vehicles while using electronic wireless communications devices.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-4)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-07-10 - Referred to TRANSPORTATION [SB143 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SB143-Introduced.html

---

PRINTER'S NO. 456
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 143 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY TOMLINSON, McILHINNEY, ERICKSON, STACK, WILLIAMS, RAFFERTY, MUSTO, O'PAKE, COSTA, WOZNIAK, BOSCOLA AND FERLO, MARCH 2, 2009
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 2, 2009
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, providing for prohibiting the operation of motor
vehicles while using electronic wireless communications
devices.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 3316. Prohibiting use of electronic wireless communications
devices.
(a) Prohibition.--Except as otherwise provided in this
section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle upon a public
highway and use an electronic wireless communications device to
send, read or write a text message while the vehicle is in
motion. A person does not send, read or write a text message
when the person reads, selects or enters a phone number or name
in an electronic wireless communications device for the purpose
of making a phone call. A conviction or detainment under this
subsection by State or local law enforcement agencies shall
occur only as a secondary action when a driver of a motor
vehicle has been detained or convicted of any other provision of
this title.
(b) Applicability.--This section shall not apply to a person
operating:
(1) an emergency vehicle; or
(2) while in the performance of their official duties: a
police officer or peace officer; or a member of a fire
department, district or company.
(c) Penalty.--Any person who violates this section shall be
guilty of a summary offense with a maximum fine of $100. A
violation of subsection (a) shall not result in the accumulation
of points under this title.
(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection:
"Electronic wireless communications device." An electronic
device that permits the user to send or receive electronic
communications but excludes a voice-activated global positioning
or navigation system affixed to the vehicle.
"Text message." A message consisting of words typed or
entered on a keypad of the electronic wireless communication
device and sent electronically.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20090SB0143PN0456 - 2 -