Site last updated: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Corbett signs texting while driving ban

CAMP HILL — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett on Wednesday signed into law a prohibition on texting while driving, although it will be four months before it takes effect.

“There is no text message in the world that is worth the value of human life,” Corbett said at the bill signing in a phone store in the Harrisburg suburbs.

The bill makes it a primary offense, allowing police to pull over drivers they see violating the law. It carries a potential $50 fine.

The law bans sending, reading or writing a text-based message from a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, smartphone, portable or mobile computer or similar devices.

Corbett said there were 13,790 crashes and 66 fatalities in Pennsylvania last year that were caused by distracted driving.

More in Pennsylvania News

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS