Pa. texting-while-driving ban takes effect

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 7 (UPI) -- Pennsylvania state troopers plan to begin full enforcement of a ban on texting behind the wheel as soon as it takes effect, a spokeswoman said.

Trooper Robin Mungo told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tickets will probably cost drivers $136, a $50 fine plus court costs.

The ban was scheduled to go into effect statewide just after midnight Thursday. Drivers can be pulled over and ticketed for texting even if they have done nothing else wrong.

Using hands-free devices to listen to texts will still be legal along with using cellphones to make calls. But anything that involves typing on any device is out.

Pennsylvania joins 34 other states that have already banned texting.