Recognizing the danger of cell phone texting and talking, the states in our area have adopted the following cell phone and texting laws:

Pennsylvania

Reading or writing text messages or emails is prohibited. Cell phone use is permitted.
Delaware

Texting, emailing and hand-held cell phone use is prohibited. Hands-free is allowed except for bus drivers and drivers with a learner’s permit or intermediate license holders.

Maryland

Texting, emailing and the use of hand-held cell phones is prohibited. Hands-free is allowed except for drivers under 18.

New Jersey

Texting, emailing and the use of hand-held cell phones is prohibited. Hands-free cell phones can be used except for drivers under age 21 with learner’s permits or probationary licenses.

Here are some ways to keep your family safe from the dangers of Distracted Driving:

• Discuss the topic of distracted driving at the dinner table periodically

• Establish and enforce cell phone rules within your family

• Print out and have each family member sign the family pledge form that you can find on Distraction.gov committing to drive distraction free.

Tim Rayne is a partner in the full-service law firm of MacElree Harvey, Ltd. which has 30+ attorneys in offices located in Doylestown, Kennett Square and West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Centreville, Delaware. Tim focuses his law practice in Car Accident, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice cases, helping people who have been injured in accidents receive fair treatment from insurance companies. Tim can be reached at 610.840.0124 or trayne@macelree.com. For more News and Information on Personal Injury law, check out Tim’s website at www.timraynelaw.com.