PHILADELPHIA. Attorney Philip Berg actually hoped he’d be one of the first drivers tickets for talking on cell phones as he drove around West Philadelphia with his phone to his ear.
But after 20 minutes of earnest law breaking on the first day of Philadelphia’s new cell phone ban, Berg gave up. The Montgomery County attorney, well-known nationally for suing President Barack Obama over his place of birth, is sticking to a promise he made seven months ago when it was signed into law.
“I will represent anyone for free if they get cited for talking on their cell phone while driving,” Berg said. “The law in Pennsylvania must be uniform. You can’t have piecemeal legislation because, say you’re using a cell phone from Delco then drive into Philadelphia. It’s unconstitutional.”
Berg, of Lafayette Hill, made the same argument in April when he showed up at a press conference by Mayor Michael Nutter and police officials on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as they touted the legislation. Despite what city officials have said about educating the driving public, no signs have been posted along streets at city borders.
By several accounts yesterday, Berg will have plenty of people to represent if they want the free legal help. Numerous cars were pulled over within the congested blocks around City Hall in the afternoon.
