North Huntingdon wants to ban its employees from texting and making or taking calls on personal and municipal cellphones while driving township vehicles.
“People on cellphones is a major accident waiting to happen … literally,” said Jeff Silka, township manager.
The proposed policy is expected to be voted on at the commissioners’ April 17 meeting.
“You (employee) don’t need to be on the phone,” while driving on township business, Silka said.
If an employee needs to make a call, “You pull over, put the car in park and make the call there,” said Commissioner Brian Blasko, who sought the policy.
The policy could be a model for residents in demonstrating safe driving practices, Blasko said.
“I think it is pretty clear cut, a no-brainer,” Blasko said.
The policy will be administered using progressive discipline on a case-by-case basis, Silka stated Friday in an email.
“None of our policies have specific penalties attached,” Silka added.
Distracted drivers caused 3,166 deaths in 2017, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
“I would not want to see a (snow)plow driver talking on the cellphone driving in the middle of a snowstorm,” Silka said, noting the township would be liable if an accident occurs while the driver is on the phone.
Commissioner Duane Kucera said he understands the need for the policy, but questions if an exception might be made if the vehicle is equipped with a hands-free device.
Chief Robert Rizzo can make modifications to the policy, approved by the manager.
There are times, Rizzo said, when an officer is using a cellphone to communicate with the emergency dispatcher and does not want the information broadcast over the police radio. The chief said he would see if the police cruisers are equipped for using hands-free devices.
