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AAA Commends Pennsylvania As It Becomes the 35th State to Prohibit Text Messaging While Driving |
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Five states have enacted texting while driving bans this year Washington, DC, November 9, 2011/V-Newswire/ - AAA applauds Pennsylvania on becoming the 35th state to outlaw text messaging by all drivers. Governor Tom Corbett signed the bill into law today, making Pennsylvania the fifth state in 2011 to ban text messaging while driving. “By banning texting while driving, Pennsylvania has continued the nationwide drive to curb one of the most dangerous forms of driver distraction,” said Robert L. Darbelnet, AAA president and CEO. “The last three years alone have shown rapid progress, with 28 states – 12 in 2009, 11 in 2010, and now five more this year – adopting this critical traffic safety measure. “Improving safety on our nation’s roads is an ongoing commitment for AAA. The Association will continue to educate the public about the great risks associated with text messaging while driving and continue its campaign to advocate for texting bans in the remaining 15 states without these laws.” In September 2009, AAA launched a campaign to pass texting bans in all 50 states. Pennsylvania is the 17th state to adopt this key traffic safety law during AAA’s campaign. Legislation to ban text messaging while driving is also being considered in Ohio. “Text messaging while driving is very dangerous but it is also one of many distractions that can divert a driver’s attention,” said Ted Leonard, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania AAA Federation. “Teen drivers are particularly susceptible to other distractions like using a cell phone, personal grooming, changing the radio/CD player and talking with passengers. This new law will do much to help deter adult and teen drivers alike from texting behind the wheel, but drivers should also steer clear from other activities that may take one’s attention from the driving task.” The following states and the District of Columbia now prohibit text messaging by all drivers: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Pennsylvania’s law will become effective 120 days after enactment. Pennsylvania joins North Dakota, Indiana, Maine and Nevada in enacting text messaging bans for all drivers in 2011. The effective dates for those new laws are as follows:
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com. Source: |
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