Let's face it, it's easy to get distracted while driving. Advertisements, loud music and other drivers can create problems on the road. But one of the most dangerous distractions is using a hand-held cell phone.

Last week, the state's House of Representatives rejected a measure that would ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving in Pennsylvania, and make the violation a primary offense.

The proposal, brought forth by Pennsylvania State Rep. Josh Shapiro, stated that under the measure, drivers could get pulled over simply for being spotted using a hand-held cell phone.

Shapiro said the measure addressed teen driving safety and was meant to save lives.

Another proposal introduced, however, would make talking on a hand-held cell phone, along with other distractions such as applying makeup, be merely a secondary offense.

But using a hand-held cell phone is dangerous, and can endanger the lives of other drivers. It must to be a primary offense.

When people don't wear their seatbelts, it endangers their own lives but not the lives of other drivers.

Using a hand-held cell phone can easily distract a person's driving ability, therefore endangering other drivers on the road.

Driving under the influence, a primary offense, puts other drivers on the road at risk, similar to talking on a hand-held cell phone.

We see people frequently use their cell phones while driving, but it only takes one time to miss a stop sign or swerve on the road and get into an accident.

According to a study conducted by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, cell phone distractions cause 2,600 deaths in the United States each year.

Critics of the proposal claim the measure would impose steep fines on those who innocently broke the law. But if this measure were enacted, and a person was using his or her cellphone, he or she would not be innocent.

Also, talking on a cell phone while driving isn't necessary. Most calls are not emergencies, and for those that are, it is easy enough to pull along the side of the road and take the call.

Driving while using a hand-held cell phone isn't safe, and it endangers the lives of other drivers on the road. In order to hopefully limit these accidents, this needs to be a primary offense.