A new law went into affect in Pennsylvania today that bans texting or e-mailing while driving making it a primary offense. That sounds pretty good right? No one should be texting or writing an e-mail while driving, it’s common sense to me but there are those among us that needs laws for every little thing in their life.

What’s the spin?

There was already a law passed in Philadelphia back in 2009 that banned using a cell phone while driving unless it was hands-free (within the city of Philadelphia). The new state law supersedes and preempts any local ordinances including the 2009 Philadelphia law.

So you can now talk on your cell phone without the need for a hands-free headset but you can’t text or email on your cell phone while driving in the state of Pennsylvania.

I support the current ban on texting and e-mailing as do a great many drivers. I’m left scratching my head though wondering what happened to the hands-free provision? I personally don’t spend too much time in the car but occasionally I do need to jump on a conference call and always utilize my trusty Plantronics Voyager 510 headset.

Have you ever had any close calls because you were distracted by your cell phone?

Do support restricting cell phone use while driving?

Cheers!