Politics & Government
Push for Law to Ban Texting and Driving in PA
Roughly two trillion text messages were sent in the U.S. last year - that almost doubles the number reported in 2009.
A driver’s crash risk doubles when they look away from the road for two or more seconds.
Theresa Poduski, director of public affairs for AAA East Central based in Allentown, wants folks to understand the serious and sometimes fatal outcome that can occur when someone tries to read or write a text message while driving.
She said AAA officials recently met with state police to discuss the problem.
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AAA in 2009 launched a campaign to pass laws that ban text messaging while driving in the U.S., she said. So far, 32 states and Washington, D.C. have laws that address text messaging by all drivers and seven states prohibit texting by teen drivers, she said.
Pennsylvania does not have a texting while driving ban in place, Poduski said.
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“We have a number of reports,” she said of information from various sources including Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute.
Roughly two trillion text messages were sent in the U.S. last year - that almost doubles the number reported in 2009, Poduski said of a Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association report.
“We have to keep our minds on driving,” Poduski said.
To learn more, visit www.AAA.com.
To arrange for a AAA speaker to discuss the dangers of text messaging while driving, call 610-434-5141.
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