PA Medical Society:State Made Right Decision on Texting Bill

The following is a statement from Marilyn Heine, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, regarding Pennsylvania Senate Bill 314, a bill that bans texting while driving. Dr. Heine is an internal medicine specialist who practices both hematology oncology and emergency medicine.


The Pennsylvania Medical Society applauds the state legislature for recently passing a bill that would ban drivers from texting while driving. The bill, sponsored by Senator Robert Tomlinson R-Bucks, will help make the roads safer for all of us.

Earlier this year, The Patient Poll, a survey of Pennsylvania adults age 21 and older sponsored by the Pennsylvania Medical Society, showed overwhelming public support for a texting ban while driving. Nearly 86 percent of those participating in the poll believed that Pennsylvania should pass a law to make texting while driving a violation for which police can stop a driver and issue a ticket.

We’ve all seen stories in the news of horrible automobile accidents caused by an inattentive driver too busy texting than keeping eyes on the road. As an emergency room physician, let me tell you that I’ve seen the sad result of such accidents.

Many anticipate Governor Corbett signing SB 314, and the Pennsylvania Medical Society encourages him to do so.