Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney Salutes Legislative Proposals For New Teenage Driver Limitations
As a father of three boys, two of whom have passed their teenage years, I am all too familiar with the midnight phone call from my children or friends of my children after they have been in a car accident. Frankly, it is every parents nightmare. According to the insurance industry, at least one teenager dies every other day from car accidents in Pennsylvania.
For many years, other states have imposed restrictions on teenage driver’s licenses and there has been talk but very little action in Pennsylvania about restricting a teenage driver’s license. Thankfully, this week the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives proposed teen driving legislation which would provide more training for young drivers and would limit the number of passengers for drivers under the age of 16 ½ and 17. Drivers under the age of 18 would also be required to complete 15 or more hours of inclement weather and night time driving. The bill would also limit drivers under the age of 18 from having more than one non-family member as a passenger and stated that teen drivers may currently have as many passengers as there are seat belts in the vehicle. Seat belt laws are also made more rigorous in the proposed law and would allow police to ticket any teen driver with a passenger under age 18 who is not properly secured and also addresses texting and speaking on a cell phone while driving. The House of Representatives legislation was approved on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 and will go to the Pennsylvania State Senate for consideration and hopeful approval.
Public surveys indicate that more than 3/4 of those polled approved of imposing passenger limits on teen drivers and increasing training for driving at night and in bad weather.
As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney attorney who often deals with the most catastrophic injuries and wrongful death scenarios, we applaud the efforts of Pennsylvania State legislators who have taken the proper steps to strengthen the state’s graduated teen licensing. Coincidentally, both New Jersey and Delaware have already imposed passenger limits on teens.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania car accident, put the talent of experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily on your team. For over three decades, our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured consumers. We always offer a no recovery, zero fee guarantee and a free, confidential consultation. Contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com.
