Pennsylvania Lawmakers Look At Distracted Driving Laws And Police Profiling

HARRISBURG (CBS) - Pennsylvania lawmakers have bickered for years over distracted driving legislation. Now, police profiling has emerged as an issue in the ongoing debate.

Much of the debate has focused on texting and hand-held cell phone use. However, Chester County Republican Chris Ross has a bill that would address a broader range of distracted driving behaviors. Another key battle has involved whether to make those behaviors a primary offense, or a secondary offense, which means you have to be stopped for another violation first.

Ross's bill makes those behaviors a secondary offense, and during a hearing last week, he said one reason is based on concerns expressed by police officers who would otherwise have to determine what's going on in moving vehicles:

"They're not supposed to have tinted windows, but they do. People are going by at a high rate of speed. And one of the things that the police worry about constantly is being charged with profiling."

The chairman of the House Transportation committee believes lawmakers are now ready to act on distracted driving.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio