It's now illegal to text while driving. Let me repeat that for emphasis: It's a crime to text and drive in Pennsylvania. The vast majority of us, including me, have done it in the past. 

Deep down, we already knew it was dangerous and statistics tell the sad tale.  Tens of thousands of crashes result from distracted driving each year. 

Recognizing the gravity of the danger, Pennsylvania has now joined 34 states and the District of Columbia by making texting while driving illegal.  On November 9, 2011, Governor Corbett signed into law Pennsylvania's texting ban which becomes effective on March 9, 2012 (120 days after passage). 

Here are the highlights of the new law:

• No driver shall operate a motor vehicle while using a cell phone, PDA, smart phone or mobile computer to send, read or write a text communication while the vehicle is in motion.
• The offense is considered "Primary," meaning that a police officer can stop you and issue a ticket for the offense without having seen you commit any other criminal violation.
• The fine is $50.
• Reading, selecting or dialing a phone number is not illegal.
• Talking on a cell phone while driving, although also dangerous, is still legal.

Hopefully, the outlawing of texting while driving will give all of us the extra incentive we may need to stop this deadly practice and make our roads safer.