Mayor Signs Cell Phone Driving Ban In Philadelphia

[HiredGoon]

Mayor Signs Cell Phone Driving Ban In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3/KDKA) ― Starting Thursday, using your hands to talk or text on a cell phone while driving is illegal in the city. Drivers will still be allowed to use hands free devices.

Bicyclists, skateboarders and roller skaters are also prohibited from using cell phones under the new law.

Meanwhile, a statewide cell phone driving ban has been talked about in Pennsylvania for years, but so far Harrisburg lawmakers seem reluctant to take action. Because of that, violators of the city's ordinance will not receive any points on their license.

As cars whizzed by during the afternoon rush hour, Mayor Michael Nutter signed Philadelphia's cell phone ban at Eakins Oval on April 30th, 2009. The oval is a hazardous obstacle for pedestrians any time of day, but the mayor says cell phones make it more deadly.

"You have to pay attention while driving," the mayor said. "It is almost impossible to be fully engaged in driving if you're holding a cell phone in your hand. Talking or texting is just a dangerous activity."

Philadelphia police will begin enforcing the new ban immediately, but violators will not get hit with a fine just yet.

Police will hand out friendly reminders for the next three months. Official warnings will follow for three additional months.

Beginning October 30, violators will get hit with a $150 fine.

"You have to get people's attention," said city councilman Bill Greenlee, one of the cell phone ban's sponsors. "Just stand at any busy intersection in the city, and you see people talking or texting. They are just not paying attention."

State police will not be able to cite chatty drivers.

Mayor Nutter says he's holding out hope that Harrisburg will follow Philadelphia's example and enact a statewide ban soon

[oblivionboyj]

Meh...
More bans...
More saftey...
Does anybody remember when you didn't do things that were dangerous because it was YOU who may be hurt?
A law will never breed stupidity out of people.
I am just glad I don't live in a city where my "saftey" is some assholes full time job.
I will rephrase that.
I am glad I don't live in a city anymore

[GoldWinger]

Having been nearly run over or run into by more Yahoos on cell phones than I can count or remember, I applaud the move. I don't care if you wear or don't wear a seat belt but when your cell phone use puts me in danger, I do care.

[Philbert]

Good, cellphones are terrible drivers.

[Coops]

There has been a cellphone ban while driving in New Jersey for about a year. It seemed to make no difference. I see people driving with one hand all the time.

[son of the revolution]

There has been a cellphone ban while driving in New Jersey for about a year. It seemed to make no difference. I see people driving with one hand all the time.

LOL yea , especially the cops , of course they carved out a special "exemption " for themselves , cause ya know they've been trained in high speed tacticool driving and everything

[Michele]

Doesn't make a difference, people will still use a cell while driving.

I saw a doozie when I lived in NYC, cell's were illegal while driving for a few years. I was behind a woman on a cell, she made a right turn a little too tight up the curb, right into a pole. Did some nice damage to her car too. Anyhoo, she put the car in reverse and pulled away from the pole then back into drive and simply drove off. This was all without putting the phone down, never lost a word of conversation.

I don't have a hands free. If I do get a call, I'll pull over, or not answer it. I never want to be distracted because I know for a fact that others are.

[38SnubFan]

I have no reservations about the ban. I use a Bluetooth speakerphone or headset while driving. I'm not even comfortable with myself trying to drive with a phone to my ear, as it takes away from my peripheral vision.

-38Snubseestoomanyidiotdriversevenwhenthey'renotont heircellphonesFan

[schr8er2000]

Probably the ONLY good idea McNutter has done..... I agree.. people with phones should either pull over and talk or not answer at all.... too damn many idiots out there already without another distraction..

One comedian ( and I can't remember who ) suggested that people with cell phones should have their phone number as the license plate on their car.... that way WE could call them and tell them to drive or get the hell off the road and talk....

[pandemic]

Good, cellphones are terrible drivers.

LOL I was going to try for that joke.

Anyway, this ban is a waste of time. Talking on the phone only limits the driver by taking one hand from his ability to drive. Maybe it hurts driving a bit, maybe not. The real handicap is talking on the phone period. Bluetooth, hands free, phone to your ear, whatever. It limits the attention of the driver, period. Banning phone to the ear wont solve any problems. IMO