Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer Joins Call to Ban Use of Hand-Held Cell Phones While Driving

Scranton, PA, September 27, 2012 — Pennsylvania car accident attorney Caroline Munley said today that she supports efforts to broaden the state's distracted driving laws to include a ban on using hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel.

A law prohibiting texting while driving in Pennsylvania became effective earlier this year. However, because it is still legal to talk on a cell phone or search for contacts on a phone while behind the wheel, police say it is difficult to detect drivers engaged in text messaging and enforce the ban, according to a recent Scranton Times-Tribune report.

“If the goal of the law is to deter drivers from engaging in conduct that is dangerous and puts others at risk of distracted driving accidents, injury and death, then a full ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving a motor vehicle is an entirely appropriate, practical move,” said Munley, managing partner of the Pennsylvania personal injury firm of Munley Law in Scranton.

Rep. Joseph F Markosek (D-Alleghany) has stated that he plans to propose a bill that would outlaw using a hand-held phone while driving a car, according to the Pennsylvania Independent.

Under the proposed law, using a hand-held cell phone while driving would become a primary offense with a $50 fine or a $100 fine if driving in a school zone, work zone or highway safety corridor.

“Ten states and the District of Columbia prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving,” Munley said. “Pennsylvania should follow their lead and make roads across the commonwealth safer.”

PennDOT says in its 2011 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics that “distracted driver” was a contributing factor in 14,260 car crashes, including 58 fatal wrecks, in the state over the course of the year.

“Drinking driver” was a contributing factor in 10,672 car crashes, including 238 fatalities. “Drowsy drivers” contributed to 2,452 crashes and 17 fatalities in the state in 2011.

“It's clear that using a cell phone while driving a car is an accident hazard that's just as serious as drunk driving and fatigued driving are, and it should be illegal,” Munley said.

Munley's law firm, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, investigates motor vehicle accidents in the preparation of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of families of people injured or killed in car crashes.

The veteran Pennsylvania car accident lawyer said her firm supports any laws that promote highway safety and will continue to stand up for the rights of those harmed by negligent and reckless drivers.

“Our hope is that every driver will recognize that texting while driving or talking on a cell phone while operating a vehicle are terribly dangerous acts,” she said. “We hope to one day see this threat eliminated from our roads.”

About Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Munley Law is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm's additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents. To contact the law firm, use the firm's online contact form.