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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Joseph F. Markosek
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House rejects weakened teen driving bill
Transportation Committee Chairman Markosek calls on Senate to pass his version of the bill
HARRISBURG, July 1 – House Transportation Committee Chairman Joseph F. Markosek today joined his House colleagues in rejecting Senate changes that would have weakened his bill aimed at reducing junior driver accidents and fatalities.
"My bill was written to allow law enforcement to be proactive and stop teens that drive and use a cell phone to talk or text," said Markosek, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland. "Giving law enforcement that authority is the best tool we have to change the habits of our young drivers and make our highways safer. Hopefully, today's vote will send a strong message to the Senate and they will come to the table ready to work."
The House vote to non-concur sends the bill to a conference committee where the differences between the two versions of the bill can be addressed.
The Senate changed H.B. 67 to make text-messaging or talking on a cell phone by a teen driver a secondary offense, which would allow law enforcement to charge teens who use a cell phone while driving only if they were stopped for another violation.
The bill, which passed the House last year, was written by Markosek so violations would be a primary offense. The bill would prohibit holders of learner's permits or junior driver's licenses from using interactive wireless communication devices such as text-messaging devices, personal digital assistants and laptop computers, while driving, except when reporting an emergency or accident.
A Pennsylvania State Police official also wrote lawmakers before the vote, urging the House to non-concur because the bill was changed to make a violation a secondary offense.
The Senate made other changes to weaken the bill. Under Markosek's version of the bill, teen drivers could have only one non-family passenger younger than 18. Under the Senate version, teen drivers who have gone the first six months of having a license without causing an accident would be allowed to transport up to three non-family passengers younger than 18.
Markosek's bill also would have expanded from 50 to 65 the number of behind-the-wheel driving hours that teens must have before they can get a license. The Senate deleted that requirement.
"Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of teenage deaths," Markosek said. "I firmly believe this legislation will save lives."
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