75 Pa. C.S. § 1622

Current through P.A. Acts 2023-66
Section 1622 - Handheld mobile telephone
(a)Commercial motor vehicle.-- Except as provided under subsection (c), a driver may not use a handheld mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle or motor carriervehicle.
(b) Employer.--Except as provided under subsection (c), an employer may not permit or require a driver of the employer to use a handheld mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle or a motor carrier vehicle.
(c) Emergency use exception.--Using a handheld mobile telephone shall be permissible by a driver of a commercial motor vehicle or motor carrier vehicle if necessary to communicate with a law enforcement official or other emergency service.
(d)Penalties.--
(1) A person who violates subsection (a) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $100.
(2) A person who violates subsection (b) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $500.
(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Driving." Operating a commercial motor vehicle or motor carrier vehicle on a highway, with the motor running, including while the commercial motor vehicle or motor carrier vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device or other momentary delay. The term does not include operating a commercial motor vehicle or motor carrier vehicle with or without the motor running if the driver moved the vehicle to the side of or off of a highway and halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.

"Mobile telephone." A mobile communication device which uses a commercial mobile radio service, as defined in 47 CFR § 20.3 (relating to definitions). The term does not include two-way or Citizens Band Radio services.

"Use a handheld mobile telephone." As follows:

(1) Using at least one hand to hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication.
(2) Dialing or answering a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button.
(3) Reaching for a mobile telephone in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt that is installed in accordance with 49 CFR § 393.93 (relating to seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages) and adjusted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.

75 Pa.C.S. § 1622

Added by P.L. 814 2014 No. 85, § 4, eff. 8/29/2014.