On Monday, February 22, 2010 U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced sample legislation to be used as a starting point for states like Pennsylvania that are creating laws prohibiting texting while driving. LaHood suggests even more stringent fines for truck and bus drivers, who text while driving commercial vehicles. They may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has suggested that law enforcement officers be authorized to stop a vehicle and issue a citation if they notice a driver texting. This is in response to the dangers of texting while driving.
Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because drivers take their eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel, and their mind off driving. There were almost 6,000 deaths and more than 500,000 injuries in 2008 that resulted from crashes involving a distracted driver.

President Obama issued an Executive Order banning text messaging while driving government-owned vehicles or with government-owned equipment that went into effect on December 30, 2009.

Pennsylvania is one of the 19 states considering a texting ban. Distracted driving obviously causes accidents, and whether states vote to enforce the sample federal law or not, it may be difficult to stop drivers from using hand held phones while driving. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, please contact a Philadelphia Accident Lawyer now