House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	September 6, 2019 02:49 PM
From:	Representative Steven R. Malagari
To:	All House members
Subject:	Increasing Penalties for Texting While Driving

As you read this, approximately 800,000 drivers are operating a vehicle while at the same time using a mobile device. These distracted drivers will claim the lives of over 3,000 individuals this year, which, on average, amounts to 9 deaths per day – all because a driver valued a text message or a social media post over safety.

Other states are attacking this offense head on, but, sadly, our state is lagging behind. Many of our neighbors have a tiered system of penalties, but in Pennsylvania, the penalty for texting while driving is a meager $50 fine. I’m introducing legislation to increase this penalty.

Under my bill, an individual found guilty of engaging in text-based communication while driving will be subject to the following:

For a first offense, a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $400.
For a second offense, a fine of not less than $400 nor more than $600.
For a third or subsequent offense, a fine of not less than $600 nor more than $800, three points on their driver’s license, and a 90-day driver’s license suspension.

Join me in cracking down on texting while driving and help to keep our roads safe.

Introduced as HB2132

House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session