Pa. Senate OKs fine for texting, chatting drivers

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A bill that would impose a $100 fine on drivers in Pennsylvania for using cellphones and other wireless devices while driving has the state Senate’s approval.

Senators voted 41-8 on today to send the bill to the House of Representatives, where a tougher bill is being considered.

Under the Senate bill, police could pull over a driver for using a device for texting, emailing, Internet browsing or instant messaging. Police could cite a driver for talking on a cellphone without a hands-free device only if they already had pulled over the driver for a separate offense.

The travel organization AAA says more than 30 other states impose some sort of penalty on drivers who talk on cellphones or send text messages.