What Are Pennsylvania’s Texting While Driving Laws?

Pennsylvania is one of the states with traffic laws in place to ban its drivers from texting while driving.

On November 9 2011 – Act No. 98 amended Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining “interactive wireless communications device”; and prohibiting use of interactive wireless communications devices for text-based communications while operating motor vehicles.

The offense is subject to primary enforcement, which allows law officers to stop and cite offenders for that reason alone. You face a fine of up to $50.00 if you’re caught texting while driving.
The law defines an interactive wireless communication device as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer or similar devices that can be used for texting, instant messaging, emailing or browsing the Internet.
It also defines a text-based message as a text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on a device.

However, the ban does not extend to when the vehicle is stopped, such as at a stoplight or while you are stopped in traffic.

It also allows for using a phone hands-free through integration with bluetooth , or speech integration voice command in some cars and trucks, or Siri on the iPhone.

If you’ve been issued a ticket for texting while driving and want to fight it, please contact us to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer.