Title
Amending Chapter 12-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous Regulations and Penalties," by adding a new section prohibiting the use of a hand-held mobile telephone by a person operating a motor vehicle or other vehicle on a City street, under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 12-1100 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended as follows:
CHAPTER 12-1100. MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES.
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ยง 12-1132. Prohibiting Use of Mobile Telephones by Persons Operating Vehicles.
(1) Legislative Findings. The Council of the City of Philadelphia finds:
(a) The City of Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the sixth-largest city in the United States.
(b) As a result of its large and dense population, the City of Philadelphia experiences significant motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic within its boundaries.
(c) Philadelphia has consistently been named as one of the most walkable cities in the United States and this bill will protect the health, safety and welfare of pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders and inline skaters.
(d) Mobile telephone usage has continued to increase in popularity in the United States.
(e) Studies show:
(.1) Mobile phone usage while driving increases the likelihood of a crash fourfold;
(.2) Drivers operating motor vehicles while using a mobile phone are as impaired as drivers with a 0.08 percent blood alcohol level-the level that defines drunk driving in most states;
(.3) The act of dialing a mobile phone is the most dangerous part of making a mobile phone call while operating a motor vehicle;
(.4) The cost of crashes caused by mobile phone usage while operating a motor vehicle is estimated at $43 billion, annually.
(...
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