Along with talking on the phone, it itemizes every type of smartphone activity that is illegal, including recording, broadcasting, or watching video. Though safety officers say any decrease in phone use on the road is a good thing, it is hard to know exactly how many crashes are caused by distracted driving.

What are the Pennsylvania Seat Belt Laws?

Police reports can be incomplete, multiple factors can be involved, or drivers can hide that they were using their phones, experts say. Get the news you need to start your day. Skip to content. One hand on the wheel, one on the phone: Still legal while driving in Pa. July 6, Just 16 states and the District of Columbia have handheld phone bans for all drivers.

Getty Images. It is illegal in 16 states and the District of Columbia for all drivers to talk on a handheld phone. So far in , hands-free legislation proposed in 10 states has failed or not yet been passed.

Roll over the map for more information. Twenty-five of the 34 states without a handheld phone ban for all drivers have laws restricting handheld phone use for novice drivers to some degree. Pennsylvania does not have any such restrictions.

Texting and Electronic Messaging

Various states also prohibit handheld phone use in special circumstances, such as in school zones or construction zones. Many states with bans permit phone use in emergency situations or by certain drivers, such as school bus, public transit or state vehicle drivers. The number of fatalities involving distracted driving is difficult to determine, and experts say the numbers could be substantially higher than what is reported. Governors Highway Safety Association: National Conference of State Legislatures: Staff Graphic.

Cell Phone Driving Laws By State | Texting and Driving Laws

Passing effective laws can be tough for a variety of reasons. This story has been updated to reflect that the House is on recess. July 6, - 8: Sign Up Morning Newsletter. Never Miss a Story. We Recommend. At Glen Mills Schools, boys are beaten, then silenced. Lisa Gartner.

Pennsylvania Texting While Driving Law Nearly Unenforceable

Michaelle Bond. Chester County man causes fatal crash in sixth DUI in 9 years, police say. Vinny Vella. Gun control bills, many marking Parkland anniversary, proliferate in Congress. Adult drivers would be able to use any device that allows them to talk on the phone while keeping both hands on the wheel, but drivers under 18 would be prohibited from using a cellphone even with a hands-free device. Texting, emailing and wearing earphones while driving is already against the law in Pennsylvania.

A state law addressing handheld cellphone use while driving would supersede any local ordinances dealing with the same issue, making them more enforceable by police. Brown introduced the legislation and is the bill's main sponsor. She said there have been other distracted driving bills proposed in previous legislative sessions, but hers is the first to focus mainly on handheld and hands-free devices. The bill is currently in the hands of the House Transportation Committee.

Hands-free is not risk free.

Distracted driving not only increases the likelihood of getting into a crash but also the severity of the crash. A recent survey conducted by AAA of its members in Pennsylvania showed 85 percent in support of a law banning the use of handheld phones while driving. According to PennDOT, 61 deaths occurred on Pennsylvania roadways in that were related to distracted driving.