PRINTER'S NO. 2393
No. 1891 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY DONATUCCI, RIEGER, M. COHEN, RAMOS, WOGAN,
McGEEHAN, J. TAYLOR AND YOUNGBLOOD, OCTOBER 8, 1997
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, OCTOBER 8, 1997
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2 Statutes, further providing for penalties for racing on
3 highways.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Sections 3367 and 6503 of Title 75 of the
7 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
8 § 3367. Racing on highways.
9 (a) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
10 words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
11 subsection:
12 "Drag race." The operation of two or more vehicles from a
13 point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive
14 attempt to outdistance each other, or the operation of one or
15 more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point
16 to the same point, for the purpose of comparing the relative
17 speeds or power of acceleration of the vehicle or vehicles
18 within a certain distance or time limit.
1 "Race." The use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to
2 outgain, outdistance or prevent another vehicle from passing, to
3 arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or
4 vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of
5 drivers over long distance driving routes.
6 (b) General rule.--No person shall drive a vehicle on a
7 highway in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or
8 acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of
9 speed or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed
10 record, and no person shall in any manner participate in any
11 such race, competition, contest, test or exhibition.
12 (c) Permits for special activities.--The department or local
13 authorities within their jurisdiction may issue permits for
14 special activities which would otherwise be prohibited by this
15 section.
16 (d) [Penalty.--Any person violating this section is guilty
17 of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to
18 pay a fine of $200.] Penalties.--Upon conviction for violations
19 of this section, the penalties shall be as follows:
20 (1) a fine of $200 for the first offense;
21 (2) a suspension of the person's driver's license for a
22 period of at least six months for the second offense;
23 (3) for the third offense, the arresting officer shall
24 impound the vehicle used in the commission of the violation,
25 and a hearing shall be held within five business days from
26 the date of arrest where a judge shall determine whether the
27 vehicle will be returned to its owner or forfeited to the
28 Commonwealth;
29 (4) for the fourth offense, a term of imprisonment of at
30 least six months but not more than one year and a fine of not
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1 less than $200 nor more than $2,000 and payment of all court
2 costs.
3 § 6503. Subsequent convictions of certain offenses.
4 Every person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of
5 any of the following provisions shall be sentenced to pay a fine
6 of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 or to imprisonment
7 for not more than six months, or both:
8 Section 1501(a) (relating to drivers required to be
9 licensed).
10 Section 1543 (relating to driving while operating
11 privilege is suspended or revoked).
12 [Section 3367 (relating to racing on highways).]
13 Section 3733 (relating to fleeing or attempting to elude
14 police officer).
15 Section 3734 (relating to driving without lights to avoid
16 identification or arrest).
17 Section 3748 (relating to false reports).
18 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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