I am probably not alone in feeling that one of the top dangers to cyclists are drivers who are distracted by their mobile device.
You may have seen it mentioned in a news story early in the summer that the State is considering legislation to update the law to ban use of a mobile device while driving (except handsfree - or as a gps while attached to a mount - I'm paraphrasing a little). I was suprised to learn that the current law only bans "texting" and does not ban other handheld uses of a mobile device. I was also surprised that the fine was only $50. The new fine would be $200.
You can read it, and follow it's progress here:
House Bill 37
I have already written my house representative to support this bill.
I also mentioned some things I noted in reading it that were cause for concern. (mainly around enforcement).
The concern about enforcement is due to the state's funding of the "Distracted Driver Awareness Fund" - which without looking into it, I assume that it is a fund to support advertising/billboards to put the phone down, etc.
The way the bill is currently written, the $200 fine would be broken down as follows: $175 goes to that state Distracted Driver Awareness Fund, $12.50 would go to the state motor license fund, and $12.50 would go to the municipal corporation for the police who wrote the ticket. (all $25 goes to the motor license fund if its a state trooper writing the ticket). I don't know whether revenue collection drives any priorities with regard to local enforcement - but that looks like a terrible return on investment of time for a local law enforcement officer to pull someone over for distracted driving?
Wondering if anyone here - or BikePGH - has any thoughts or comments, or any potential ways we might help shape policy with regard to distracted driving and enforcement.
Thanks,
Jeff
