Laurels & lances: Pay attention please

Laurel: To greater focus. When you get behind the wheel, there is a lot to grab your attention. You need to watch the road in front of you. You have to be alert for other cars at intersections. You need to watch for pedestrians and bicycles. You need to check your mirrors — and don’t forget that blind spot.

What you don’t need to watch is your phone.

In 2024, legislators passed, and the governor signed, a law that expanded restrictions on cellphone use while driving. The start date for that is June 5. While Bluetooth and other hands-free devices are allowed, and you can still use a phone in an emergency situation, it’s hands off otherwise. That includes red lights and stop signs.

People may still break the rules, just like people still speed and pass where they shouldn’t. But get caught and you will face a $50 fine — and remember, that $50 is before the court costs and other fees, likely to push it well over $100.

It might feel frustrating to have to wait for that text, or to check your email, or to check out that hilarious video someone just sent you. But that’s nothing compared to the pain of recovering from a crash, the cost of replacing a car or the guilt of ending a life.

Put down your phone. There’s nothing that can’t wait.

Lance: To being in the dark. On Wednesday, officials from Duquesne Light and West Penn Power testified at the state House Majority Policy Committee hearing in O’Hara. The topic was the utilities’ response to power outages caused by catastrophic storms in April.

Between the two companies, about 750,000 customers were without power. It is important to note “customers” is not “people.” One person can get a bill but represent a whole family impacted.

The crews did admirable work. West Penn replaced 626 poles, 387 transformers and miles of line with help from their resources in 18 other states. Duquesne Light replaced 230 poles, 300 transformers and 80 miles of line. They got help from across Pennsylvania and four other states.

The issue is not the quality of the response to an act of God. The issue is that the state has been concerned about power outages for years. In 2018, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission noted the number of outages had gone up by 150% and that more than a third of those impacted West Penn Power or Duquesne Light customers.

Yes, the weather is unpredictable. But we know that. Let’s talk more about what can be done proactively to prevent outages rather than reactively to recover from them.