Ban on texting and driving effective today in Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A ban on texting behind the wheel took effect today in Pennsylvania, giving chronic texters one more reason to keep their hands on the wheel and off the keypad.

The new law carries a $50 fine for anyone sending texts, emails or similar messages from their phones, computers or other devices while driving.

Police can’t seize the devices when they write tickets but they can pull over anyone they notice texting — they don’t have to commit any other offense to be stopped.

Bill sponsor Sen. Tommy Tomlinson said texting is about the most distracting activity that drivers — specifically young ones — engage in.

State and local police said they’re ready to begin enforcement.

Lansdowne Police Chief Daniel Kortan Jr., chairman of the executive board of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, said it’s not that difficult to spot a texter. They tend to look down, not at the road, and drive out of their lane.

“It’s obvious when you see it,” Kortan said.

Kortan said he expects police to issue more warnings than tickets as drivers get accustomed to the new law.

Fourteen thousand crashes were linked to distracted driving in Pennsylvania in 2010, authorities said. Those crashes included 68 fatalities.

The bill included a ban on cellphone use by drivers when it was passed by the state Senate in June but that provision was stripped out before final passage in the House.