Pa. Senate approves driving-while-texting ban

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - November 1, 2011

POLL: Will a no texting while driving law make Pa. roads noticably safer?

The state Senate on Tuesday voted 45-5 to approve an amended version of a bill it easily passed in June. The state House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bill on Monday.

Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to sign the bill.

The bill would make texting behind the wheel a primary offense so that police can pull over motorists for that violation alone. The penalty is $50 but police may not seize the cell phone or other device.

However, talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device remains legal for motorists after the House removed a provision that would ban the activity. Nine states have such bans.

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