Texting While Driving Ban Shows Progress in PA

A year after it was implemented here in Pennsylvania, the texting while driving ban seems to be taking effect. Preliminary data from the state Department of Transportation shows that crashes involving drivers with phones is decreasing.

Officials say that for most people, just knowing the law is in place might prevent them from pulling out their phones when driving. The law went into effect on March 8, 2012 and bans drivers from all text-based communication while the driver’s vehicle is in motion, including text messages, instant messages, and emails. According to an article on PennLive.com, an officer can conclude that a driver has broken the law based on sight, statements made by the driver or passengers, or by obtaining cell phone records if necessary. Pennsylvania is the 35th state to ban texting while driving.

However, distracted driving continues to be a problem. Crashes resulting from distracted driving have increased from 14,259 across the state in 2011. According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, distracted driving includes putting on makeup to switching radio stations to using a phone.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident where the other person was texting while driving, you could have a case. Contact the injury attorneys at O’Connor Law for a free review of your case.