Legislation banning the use of hand-held devices while driving has churned its way through the Pennsylvania General Assembly and soon will find its way to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.

Senate Bill 37, which was passed by the state House of Representatives 124-77 earlier this month, would outlaw holding a mobile device to talk on a cellphone, watch or take videos, snap photos, or scroll social media while driving. Hands-free use would be permitted. Hand-held texting while driving has been prohibited in the commonwealth since 2012.

A guilty driver would be subject to a $50 fine. Emergency notifiers and first responders are exempt.

The Senate will review minor changes made by the House before sending it to Shapiro. Pennsylvania would join 27 states banning the use of hand-held devices while driving.

Distracted driving caused nearly 11,500 accidents on Pennsylvania roads in 2022, far more than drunken driving, which accounted for 7,700. Around 13% of all nationwide traffic accidents can be attributed in part to distracted driving, according the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. And these statistics include only people whose distraction is listed in a police report.

A survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found 20% of drivers said they regularly read emails, play games, watch videos or use social media while driving. Half admit to doing these activities at least once in the last 30 days. People younger than 35 and people with children under 18 were the most likely to be distracted by screens.

“It really allows us to say ‘get the phone out of your hand,’” the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe, said. “You can use your cellphone when you’re driving, speaker or Bluetooth, but you should not be holding the phone or supporting it with any part of your body.”

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Put the phone down while you drive. It soon may be against the law not to.

It could save a life, maybe yours.

— JG