Pennsylvania Legislature Approves New Restrictions On Teen Drivers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The Pennsylvania House gave final legislative approval today to a bill that would impose more restrictions on young drivers in the Commonwealth, and governor Tom Corbett is expected to sign the bill.
Passage of the teen driving legislation is the culmination of years of effort by state rep Kathy Watson (R-Bucks County).
She believes the most significant provision will be one that makes it a primary offense for anyone under the age of 18 not to be in a child safety seat or wearing a seatbelt.
"From birth up to 18, they have to be -- the phrase is, "properly restrained," whatever the appropriate restraint is for their age," she said today.
The legislation also limits to one the number of teen passengers who are not family members allowed in a vehicle driven by a junior driver for the first six months they are licensed, and increases the limit to three after that.
It also increases the required number of training hours for permit holders.
Some advocates are unhappy that the bill does not address texting and the use of cell phones for junior drivers; Watson says that should be in legislation addressing all drivers.
Reported by KYW Harrisburg bureau chief Tony Romeo
