Pennsylvania (PA) Poll * MARCH 26, 2009 * Pennsylvania Voters Back Car C - Quinnipiac University

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MARCH 26, 2009 - Pennsylvania Voters Back Car Cell Phone Ban 6-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Most Say Ban Will Make Roads Safer

Word format Pennsylvania voters support 85 - 13 percent a proposal to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Even cell phone owners, 79 percent of all voters, support the proposed ban 85 - 13 percent.
Support for the cell phone ban tops 80 percent among all political groups and among men and women, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
By a larger 87 - 12 percent margin, voters support a proposal to require younger drivers with junior licenses or learner's permits to use hands-free cell phones while driving.
And by an 89 - 10 percent margin, voters would outlaw text messaging while driving.
Banning hand-held cell phones while driving would make Pennsylvania roads and highways "a great deal safer," 50 percent of voters say, as 37 percent say the ban would make roads and highways "somewhat safer."
"It's hard to understand why the State Legislature hasn't banned hand-held cell phone use by Pennsylvania drivers when nearly every voter in the state favors the ban," said Clay F. Richards, deputy director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Seldom is the voice of the public so united on an issue. Half of all voters say banning the use of cell phones would make driving on Pennsylvania's highways a great deal safer."
From March 19 - 23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,056 Pennsylvania voters with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
24. Do you currently own a cell phone?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 79% 84% 73% 82% 78% 80% No 21 16 27 18 22 20 DK/NA - - - - - - Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 81% 71% 84% 83% 71% 75% 81% No 19 29 16 17 29 25 19 DK/NA - - - - - 1 -
25. (If own cellphone q24) How often do you use a cell phone while driving a car - very often, sometimes, rarely, or never?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very often 12% 9% 13% 16% 16% 8% Sometimes 22 30 15 23 27 18 Rarely 37 40 38 34 35 39 Never 28 20 33 27 21 34 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 1
26. There is a proposal in the state legislature to prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Drivers who wanted to use a cell phone would have to use equipment which would allow for hands-free operation of the hand-held cell phones while driving. Do you support or oppose making it illegal to use hand-held cell phones while driving?
Cellphone Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Owners Support 85% 82% 89% 84% 82% 89% 85% Oppose 13 16 9 14 15 10 13 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 3 1 2 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 86% 98% 80% 86% 82% 82% 84% Oppose 11 2 17 12 15 13 15 DK/NA 2 - 3 2 2 4 2
27. Would you support or oppose making it illegal for younger people with junior licenses or learner's permits to use hand-held cell phones while driving?
Cellphone Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Owners Support 87% 85% 87% 89% 87% 87% 87% Oppose 12 13 13 10 11 13 12 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 - 1 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 87% 87% 89% 93% 84% 76% 87% Oppose 12 13 8 7 13 24 13 DK/NA 1 - 3 - 3 - -
28. Would you support or oppose a bill banning text messaging while driving?
Cellphone Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Owners Support 89% 88% 88% 91% 89% 89% 90% Oppose 10 10 11 7 9 10 9 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 92% 87% 86% 93% 85% 86% 90% Oppose 8 12 11 6 14 13 9 DK/NA - 1 3 1 1 1 1
29. How much do you think prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones while driving would do to make the roads and highways in Pennsylvania safer - a great deal, some, not much, or nothing at all?
Cellphone Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Owners A great deal 50% 43% 59% 46% 44% 56% 48% Some 37 42 32 40 41 33 39 Not much 7 10 7 8 10 5 9 Nothing at all 4 5 3 5 4 4 4 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 - 1 1 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl A great deal 53% 72% 41% 45% 41% 56% 49% Some 37 23 47 39 42 34 37 Not much 7 3 4 10 7 5 11 Nothing at all 1 3 7 6 9 4 2 DK/NA 2 - 1 - 2 1 1 2