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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep. Tim Solobay
State Sen. Barry Stout D-46th Legislative District
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Solobay, Stout team up to get tough on those who drive with a suspended license
HARRISBURG, June 4 – State Rep. Tim Solobay and state Sen. Barry Stout, both D-Washington, have introduced bills in the House and Senate designed to crack down on those who drive with a suspended license, and those who knowingly allow someone with a suspended license to drive their vehicles.
House Bill 2578 and Senate Bill 1413 were introduced in remembrance of Alexzandra Loos, a 15-year-old Washington County girl who was struck and killed by a 32-year-old driver. The driver had accumulated 17 convictions for driving without a license, which Solobay said would have prevented him from driving legally until he turned 65.
"Clearly the guy behind the wheel of the car that killed Alex didn't take a suspended license seriously," Solobay said. "We must put the brakes on drivers who disregard the laws and drive even though their licenses have been suspended."
Alex's Law, as the bills have been named, would impose stiff penalties for people who drive with a suspended license. The first offense would be a $500 fine and 60 to 90 days in jail; a second offense would be a $2,500 fine and a minimum of six months in jail; a third offense would be a $5,000 fine and a minimum of two years in prison.
"It is time for the state to get tough on people who continue to drive with a suspended or revoked license with total disrespect for the law and other individuals on the road. Apparently it takes stiffer fines and penalties to remove them from the roadways and make them aware that we mean business," Stout said.
Under the bills, a person who knowingly allows someone with a suspended license to drive their vehicle would face the same fines as the suspended driver, and their vehicle would be impounded. The bills would also require chemical testing if police suspect that a driver may be driving on a suspended or revoked license. And if a person is convicted of homicide by vehicle while on a suspended license, he or she would face additional prison time of up to five years.
Both bills have received wide bipartisan support and are currently being considered by House and Senate transportation committees.
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