Pa. sends conflicting (text) message as new ban takes effect

Pennsylvania wants to remind all drivers that today is the first day of the no-texting-while-driving ban.

From now on, drivers will be fined if caught using their phone behind the wheel to read, send or receive texts, emails and other forms of written communication.

What better way to remind drivers of the fines they face then by helping them violate the law? This morning, NewsWorks Producer Todd Vachon received a text message while driving. It was from ReadyNotifyPA, the state’s automated notification system.

Update, 1:20 p.m. Turns out that text was sent purposefully. Edwin J. Truitt, Director of the Delaware County Emergency Services Department, told WHYY/NewsWorks’ Emma Jacobs the text came from his office and was timed for rush hour to reach people texting on their morning commute.

“We thought most people would be on the road when they’re texting,” he said. “We wanted to reach the most people and rush hour’s the best possible exposure.”