Pennsylvania could soon join the growing list of states banning cell phone use while behind the wheel, writes Anthony Hennen for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

A bipartisan bill in the Pennsylvania Senate would punish motorists using their phones and not paying proper attention to the road ahead with legal penalties for distracted driving. The existing law allows using cell phones behind the wheel but not texting.

Still, the almost two dozen states that prohibit cellphone use have not necessarily recorded reduced statistics for distracted driving. However strong enforcement of said law and changing driver behavior might be key to making roads safer.

“Distracted driving … is a very, very real public safety concern,” said State Sen. Rosemary Brown. “Cellphones are a consistent, addictive distraction and distract for an extended period of time, leading to crashes and preventable deaths of innocent drivers.”

Brown’s proposed bill would fine drivers $100 if they are caught holding their phones. GPS could still be used by motorists, but no part of a person’s body can hold or support the phone.

Read more about the proposed bill in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Harrisburg media coverage of the proposed legislation could ban use of phones while driving.