HARRISBURG — Sending text messages while driving would become a secondary offense, like failing to wear a seat belt, under a bill approved the state Senate today.
Under a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Tommy Tomlinson of Bucks County, motorists could be fined $100 for violations.
"Drivers should be doing only one thing when they are behind the wheel of an automobile, and that is paying attention to the road and other drivers," Tomlinson said. Texting endangers those drivers and "everyone else on the road with them," he said.
The bill goes to the state House.
Tomlinson cited a Nationwide Insurance study showing an estimated 20 percent of drivers send text messages while driving. Another poll found the number increases to 66 percent among drivers ages 18 to 24.
