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Pennsylvania drivers were cited 1,410 times in 2014 for texting while driving and 711 times for using headphones while driving, according to statistics compiled by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC).

 

In Pennsylvania it is illegal for drivers to read, write or send a text message while driving. Pennsylvania’s “no texting” law, Title 75, Section 3316, took effect in March 2012. Since then, more than 3,940 tickets for texting while driving have been issued statewide. In fact, citations have increased each year:

 

• 2012 – 1,190

• 2013 – 1,340

• 2014 – 1,410

 

Over the past three years, 1,752 drivers were cited for operating a vehicle while wearing or using headphones or earphones, a violation of Title 75, Section 3314.

 

• 2012 – 523

• 2013 – 518

• 2014 – 711

 

Pennsylvania’s judiciary has one of the nation’s most advanced case management computer systems. Data generated by the system, which is funded by court fees rather than tax dollars, is used widely by a variety of state and local agencies to make informed policy decisions, foster public safety and provide transparency. These systems track an enormous amount of data, including numbers of traffic-related violations. Philadelphia Municipal Court’s Traffic Division records traffic citations specifically for Philadelphia County.

 

Complete statewide data is available for download. Philadelphia numbers have been included in the statewide data.

 

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Media contact: Kimberly Bathgate, 717-231-3331