For August 15, ROAD WATCH…
(Delaware Cell Phone/Texting Ban Effective January—Why Not One in Pa.?)
Just a reminder in case you didn’t know: our neighbor state to the south, Delaware, has a law banning hand-held cell phone use and texting while driving that becomes effective Jan. 2, 2011.
Gov. Jack Markell signed the legislation last month, making Delaware the ninth state to ban the use of hand-held cell phones behind the wheel and the 30th state to ban texting while driving.
In other words, starting in January, you can only use a hands-free phone while driving in Delaware.
The comprehensive statewide restriction requires drivers to use a hands-free device to talk while driving and also prohibits text messaging, sending or reading e-mails or browsing websites while the vehicle is in motion.
The Delaware law was sponsored by Rep. Darryl M. Scott, D-Dover, and in the Senate by Sens. Brian J. Bushweller and Karen E. Peterson.
“This new law is about improving safety for everyone who shares the road,” Markell said. “We hope we can reduce the number of drivers who text and e-mail while driving, and therefore, reduce the number of distraction-related crashes.”
He added that he wanted drivers to keep their focus on the road.
The bill allows a driver to use a headset, speakerphone or other hands-free device to talk on a cell phone while driving.
It also permits a driver to punch in a number or activate the hands-free device, but the driver then must put the phone down while talking.
Scott says the new law takes the phone out of the driver’s hands – eliminating a major distraction.
“Cell phones are a wonderful and convenient tool, but when used while driving, they present a persistent distraction,” Scott said.
“Removing the device from the driver’s hand returns the hand to the wheel and the driver’s attention to the roadways,” he said.
I couldn’t have said that any better myself – which I have been hammering for in this column for years to no avail.
Bushweller, a former state secretary of public safety, while admitting the bill created a fair amount of controversy, said, “…the bottom line is this: I’m convinced it will save lives and that’s more important than any inconvenience it may cause motorists.”
The new law creates a statewide regulation of the use of electronic communication devices rather than a patchwork system that varies by municipality, which includes Wilmington and Elsmere, and Philadelphia, Lower Chichester and West Conshohocken, among others in Pennsylvania.
Under the Delaware bill, a first violation of this primary offense would carry a fine of $50; a second offense would carry a fine of $100-$200. Violators would not accumulate any points on their driving records.
The honchos in Harrisburg, despite efforts by state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, have failed to enact similar laws in the usual bipartisan tug-of-war with the Republican dominated Senate.
In July, House members by a bipartisan vote of 126-71 rejected the Senate’s version of House Bill 67 imposing stricter rules for teen drivers, citing its amendments weakened the bill regarding cell phone and texting bans, passenger restrictions and driver training hours.
The House version passed overwhelmingly in April 2009 would have made it a primary offense for a teen with a learner’s permit or junior driver’s license to text or talk on a cell phone while driving. However, the next month, the Senate amended the bill to make such conduct a secondary offense, meaning officers could only issue citations if a teen was already stopped for another traffic violation or an accident.
Hand-held cell phone bans for all drivers are on the books in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, Washington and the District of Columbia. Utah has named the secondary offense careless driving.
Maryland’s law becomes effective Oct. 1.
I-76/South Street Interchange
For the next two weeks, weeknight travel restrictions will be in effect on the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) at the South Street Interchange in Philadelphia for overhead bridge construction by the city, PennDOT said.
This work is part of the city’s $67 million project to construct the new South Street Bridge.
Motorists traveling on I-76 will be taken off the expressway at the South Street off-ramp and placed back on the eastbound expressway from the South Street on-ramp 10 p.m.-5 a.m. Mondays-Fridays.
Westbound I-76 traffic will be reduced from two lanes to one during this time.
In addition, the Walnut Street on-ramp to I-76 East will be closed and detoured 10 p.m.-5 a.m. weeknights over the next two weeks. Motorists will be detoured west on Walnut Street, left on 34th Street and University Avenue to the 34th Street on-ramp to I-76 East.
Lane closures on I-76 West at South Street will not start until 11 p.m. on nights when the Phillies and Eagles play at the stadium complex in South Philadelphia.
I-76 motorists are advised to allow additional time to travel through the construction area or use an alternate route because backups will occur as crews perform painting, backfilling and shielding-removal operations.
The contractor’s schedule is dependent on the weather.
Ben Franklin Bridge
Two lanes on the Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed this weekend until 5 a.m. Monday for miscellaneous asphalt repairs. The work will be done in the westbound lanes.
U.S. Route 202/Route 3
This weekend, travel restrictions are scheduled on U.S. Route 202 between the Route 3 (West Chester Pike) and Westtown Road interchanges in West Goshen, Chester County, for ongoing road/ramp construction.
Through 5 a.m. Sunday, U.S. Route 202 North/South will be reduced to one lane between Route 3 and Westtown Road for the replacement of deteriorated concrete pavement.
Also, the Route 202 South off-ramp to Route 3 and the Route 3 on-ramp to Route 202 South will be closed/detoured until 5 a.m. Monday for replacement of deteriorated concrete pavement.
Motorists should allow more time for travel along Route 202 during construction because backups will occur.
Traffic Delays
Upper Darby – Township Line Road (U.S. Route 1), traffic signal upgrades with lane restrictions between Dermond Road and Harding Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Concord – U.S. Route 202 North, road widening with lane closures between McComb Avenue and Cornerstone Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays Monday-Aug.20.
Aston – Concord Road, milling with lane restrictions between Bethel and Pennell roads 7 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays.
Nether Providence – Beatty Road, closed/detoured between Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road for bridge rehabilitation through Aug. 27.
Chester Pike (U.S. Route 13) – Ridley Township, bridge construction with lane closure between Morton Avenue and Acres Drive, 24-hour restrictions through October 2011.
Radnor – Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli and Hunt roads for roadway reconstruction and realignment to remove a sharp curve through October. Work began March 1. Goshen Road will be detoured over Darby-Paoli Road, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Route 3, Route 252 and Goshen Road.
Concord – Baltimore Pike, bridge replacement with lane restrictions on bridge over Chester Creek 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 2011. Work began in September 2009.
Baltimore Pike (U.S. Route 1) – Middletown and Chester Heights, bridge replacement with lane restrictions between Darlington and Station roads, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011. Work began Oct. 12.
Road Watch/Road Rant appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.