PRINTER'S NO. 1592
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
296
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY RAFFERTY, SABATINA, McGARRIGLE, BARTOLOTTA,
GREENLEAF, FARNESE, DINNIMAN, BREWSTER, MARTIN, ARGALL,
RESCHENTHALER, SCHWANK, BOSCOLA, AUMENT, HUTCHINSON, COSTA,
BROWNE, SCAVELLO, VOGEL, KILLION, VULAKOVICH AND MENSCH,
MARCH 26, 2018
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 26, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2018 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 distraction from
driving because it involves manual, visual and cognitive
distraction simultaneously; and
WHEREAS, Distraction latency lasts an average of 27 seconds,
resulting 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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
WHEREAS, Distracted driving is not confined to a single
cause, age group, level of education or driver demographic; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, there were 16,050 crashes involving a
distracted driver in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, From 2012 through 2016, there were 311 fatalities in
crashes involving a distracted driver, or an average of 62
fatalities per year, in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Even though this Commonwealth has a primary offense
anti-texting law, which prohibits drivers from sending, reading
or writing a text-based communication via an interactive
wireless communication device while the vehicle is in motion,
additional legislative action and enforcement can help mitigate
and reduce crashes and fatal crashes involving distracted
driving; and
WHEREAS, The best way to end distracted driving is for
drivers to put down their interactive wireless communication
device and educate all residents of this Commonwealth about the
danger distracted driving poses; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2018
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.
20180SR0296PN1592 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24