PRINTER'S NO. 599
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
58
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY RAFFERTY, SABATINA, TARTAGLIONE, BROWNE, DINNIMAN,
GREENLEAF, FONTANA, RESCHENTHALER, BREWSTER, SCHWANK, COSTA,
KILLION, VULAKOVICH, BLAKE, BOSCOLA, FARNESE, BARTOLOTTA,
AUMENT, HUGHES AND SCAVELLO, MARCH 27, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 27, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2017 as "Distracted Driving
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Distracted driving is any activity that could divert
a driver's attention away from the primary task of driving; and
WHEREAS, Texting is the most alarming diversion from driving
because it involves manual, visual and cognitive distraction
simultaneously; and
WHEREAS, Distraction latency lasts an average of 27 seconds
and can result in a driver not being fully engaged in the
primary task of driving even after having put down an
interactive wireless communication device; and
WHEREAS, A recent nationwide survey suggests that nearly 75%
of drivers reported using their interactive wireless
communication device while driving and an estimated 60% of
interactive wireless communication device use takes place behind
the wheel; and
WHEREAS, Distracted driving is not confined to a single
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cause, age group, level of education or driver demographic; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, there were 14,810 crashes involving a
distracted driver in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, From 2011 through 2015, there were approximately 280
fatal crashes involving a distracted driver, or an average of 57
per year, in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The laws of this Commonwealth prohibit a driver from
sending, reading or writing a text-based communication via an
interactive wireless communication device while the driver's
vehicle is in motion; and
WHEREAS, Additional legislative action and enforcement can
help mitigate and reduce crashes and fatal crashes involving
distracting driving; and
WHEREAS, Distracted driving in this Commonwealth can be
eliminated if drivers put down their interactive wireless
communication devices while driving and the residents of this
Commonwealth are informed about the dangers of distracted
driving; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2017
as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all drivers in this
Commonwealth to consider the lives of others on the road and
avoid distracted driving.
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