State Police Lobby for Tougher Laws in PA

March 2006

Lobbying for tougher laws, the Pennsylvania State Police are trying to save more drivers lives. At a hearing last week, Col. Jeffrey Miller of the PA State Police told legislators that Pennsylvania had one of the weakest seat belt laws in the country.

Under the current Pennsylvania seat belt law, a state or local police officer can not stop a vehicle if they witness a driver or passenger not wearing a seat belt. An officer must have another “primary” reason for the stop such as speeding or running a red light. In order to actually issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt, the officer must first cite the driver for another offense. Col. Miller believes Pennsylvania needs a seat belt law that would allow an officer to pull a car over if a seat belt is not being worn by either the driver or a passenger without another reason.

Other possible laws to go before the Pennsylvania legislature are:

• Banning the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle, including hands-free phones.
• Limiting the number of passengers in a vehicle operated by a driver under the age of 18.

The purpose of these laws is to eliminate many driver distractions in hopes it will save more lives each year.

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