PRINTER'S NO.  767

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE BILL

 

No.

749

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN AND FONTANA, MARCH 7, 2011

  

  

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 7, 2011  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75

2

(Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further

3

providing for Commonwealth portion of fines, etc. and for

4

municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.; defining

5

"interactive wireless communication device"; further

6

providing for junior driver's license, for learners' permits

7

and for suspension of operating privilege; prohibiting use of

8

interactive wireless communication device; and further

9

providing for duty of driver in construction and maintenance

10

areas or on highway safety corridors, for duty of driver in

11

emergency response areas, for accident report forms, for

12

department to compile, tabulate and analyze accident reports,

13

for television equipment, for restraint systems and for

14

applicability and uniformity of title.

15

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

16

declares that the part of this act that limits the number of

17

passengers a junior driver may transport in a motor vehicle at

18

one time may be referred to as Lacey's Law in honor of Lacey

19

Gallagher.

20

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

21

hereby enacts as follows:

22

Section 1.  Sections 3571(b) and 3573(b) of Title 42 of the

23

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:

24

§ 3571.  Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.

 


1

* * *

2

(b)  Vehicle offenses.--

3

(1)  All fines, forfeited recognizances and other

4

forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited in connection with

5

matters arising under Chapter 77 of Title 75 (relating to

6

snowmobiles) shall unless otherwise provided in Chapter 77 of

7

Title 75 be payable to the Commonwealth.

8

(2)  Except as provided in [paragraph (4)] paragraphs (4)

9

and (5), when prosecution under any other provision of Title

10

75 (relating to vehicles) is the result of State Police

11

action, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other

12

forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to

13

the Commonwealth, for credit to the Motor License Fund. One-

14

half of the revenue shall be paid to municipalities in the

15

same ratio provided in section 4 of the [act of June 1, 1956

16

(P.L.1944, No.655), relating to partial allocation of liquid

17

fuels and fuel use tax proceeds] act of June 1, 1956 (1955

18

P.L.1944, No.655), referred to as the Liquid Fuels Tax

19

Municipal Allocation Law.

20

(3)  Except as provided in paragraph (5) and section 3573

21

(relating to municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.),

22

when prosecution under any other provision of Title 75 is the

23

result of local police action, one-half of all fines,

24

forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost

25

or forfeited shall be payable to the Commonwealth, for credit

26

to the Motor License Fund.

27

(4)  When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating

28

to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled

29

substance) is the result of State Police action, 50% of all

30

fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed,

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1

lost or forfeited shall be payable to the Commonwealth, for

2

credit to the Motor License Fund, and 50% shall be payable to

3

the county which shall be further divided as follows:

4

(i)  Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be

5

allocated to the appropriate county authority which

6

implements the county drug and alcohol program to be used

7

solely for the purposes of aiding programs promoting drug

8

abuse and alcoholism prevention, education, treatment and

9

research.

10

(ii)  Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be

11

used for expenditures incurred for county jails, prisons,

12

workhouses and detention centers.

13

(5)  When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3316 (relating

14

to prohibiting use of interactive wireless communication

15

device) is the result of Pennsylvania State Police action,

16

25% of all revenue from fines shall be paid to municipalities

17

in the same ratio provided in section 4 of the Liquid Fuels

18

Tax Municipal Allocation Law, and 75% of the revenue from the

19

fines shall be allocated and are appropriated on a continuing

20

basis to the Department of Transportation for Statewide

21

public education and awareness programs to combat distracted

22

driving and driving under the influence and promote awareness

23

under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3316(f).

24

* * *

25

§ 3573.  Municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.

26

* * *

27

(b)  Vehicle offenses.--

28

(1)  When prosecution under the provisions of Title 75

29

(relating to vehicles) for parking is the result of local

30

police action, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other

- 3 -

 


1

forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to

2

the municipal corporation under which the local police are

3

organized.

4

(2)  Except as provided in [paragraph (3)] paragraphs (3)

5

and (4), when prosecution under any other provision of Title

6

75 (except Chapter 77 (relating to snowmobiles)) is the

7

result of local police action, one-half of all fines,

8

forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost

9

or forfeited shall be payable to the municipal corporation

10

under which the local police are organized.

11

(3)  When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating

12

to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled

13

substance) is the result of local police action, 50% of all

14

fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed,

15

lost or forfeited shall be payable to the municipal

16

corporation under which the local police are organized, and

17

50% shall be payable to the county which shall be further

18

divided as follows:

19

(i)  Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be

20

allocated to the appropriate county authority which

21

implements the county drug and alcohol program to be used

22

solely for the purposes of aiding programs promoting drug

23

abuse and alcoholism prevention, education, treatment and

24

research.

25

(ii)  Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be

26

used for expenditures incurred for county jails, prisons,

27

workhouses and detention centers.

28

(4)  When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3316 (relating

29

to prohibiting use of interactive wireless communication

30

device) is the result of local police action, 25% of all

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1

revenue from fines shall be payable to the municipal

2

corporation under which the local police are organized, and

3

75% shall be payable and is appropriated on a continuing

4

basis to the Department of Transportation for Statewide

5

public education and awareness programs to combat driving

6

under the influence and distracted driving as established by

7

75 Pa.C.S. § 3316(f).

8

* * *

9

Section 3.  Section 102 of Title 75 is amended by adding a

10

definition to read:

11

§ 102.  Definitions.

12

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent

13

provisions of this title which are applicable to specific

14

provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when

15

used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly

16

indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

17

* * *

18

"Interactive wireless communication device."  A wireless

19

telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or

20

mobile computer, or similar device which can be used for voice

21

communication, texting, e-mailing, browsing the Internet or

22

instant messaging. The term does not include a device being used

23

exclusively as a global positioning or navigation system or a

24

system or device that is physically or electronically integrated

25

into the vehicle.

26

* * *

27

Section 2.  Sections 1503(c), 1505(e) and 1538(e) of Title 75

28

are amended to read:

29

§ 1503.  Persons ineligible for licensing; license issuance to

30

minors; junior driver's license.

- 5 -

 


1

* * *

2

(c)  Junior driver's license.--The department may issue a

3

junior driver's license to a person 16 or 17 years of age under

4

rules and regulations adopted by the department and subject to

5

the provisions of this section. A junior driver's license shall

6

automatically become a regular driver's license when the junior

7

driver attains 18 years of age.

8

(1)  Except as provided in paragraph (2), no licensed

9

junior driver shall drive a vehicle upon a public highway

10

between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a spouse 18

11

years of age or older, a parent or a person in loco parentis.

12

(2)  A licensed junior driver conforming to the

13

requirements of section 1507 (relating to application for

14

driver's license or learner's permit by minor) may drive a

15

vehicle upon a public highway between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

16

between the junior driver's home and activity or employment

17

or in the course of the junior driver's activity or

18

employment if the junior driver is a member of a volunteer

19

fire company authorized by the fire chief to engage in

20

fighting fires, is engaged in public or charitable service or

21

is employed and is carrying an affidavit or certificate of

22

authorization signed by the junior driver's fire chief,

23

supervisor or employer indicating the probable schedule of

24

the junior driver's activities. Upon termination of the

25

junior driver's activity or employment, the junior driver

26

shall surrender the affidavit or certificate to the fire

27

chief, supervisor or employer. If the junior driver shall

28

fail to surrender the affidavit or certificate, the employer,

29

fire chief or supervisor shall immediately notify the

30

Pennsylvania State Police.

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1

(2.1)  Except as set forth in paragraph (2.2), a junior

2

driver may not drive a vehicle with more than one passenger

3

under 18 years of age.

4

(2.2)  With parental or in loco parentis approval, a

5

junior driver may drive a vehicle with passengers who are

6

siblings or relatives who live in the same dwelling as the

7

junior driver.

8

(3)  In addition to the other provisions of this title

9

relating to the suspension or revocation of operating

10

privileges, in the event that a licensed junior driver is

11

involved in an accident reportable under section 3746(a) for

12

which the junior driver is partially or fully responsible in

13

the opinion of the department or is convicted of any

14

violation of this title, the department may suspend the

15

operating privileges of the junior driver until the junior

16

driver attains 18 years of age or for a period of time not

17

exceeding 90 days.

18

(4)  Any junior driver or other person violating any

19

provision of this subsection is guilty of a summary offense.

20

§ 1505.  Learners' permits.

21

* * *

22

(e)  Authorization to test for driver's license and junior

23

driver's license.--A person with a learner's permit is

24

authorized to take the examination for a regular or junior

25

driver's license for the class of vehicle for which a permit is

26

held. Before a person under the age of 18 years may take the

27

examination for a junior driver's license, the minor must:

28

(1)  Have held a learner's permit for that class of

29

vehicle for a period of six months.

30

(2)  Present to the department a certification form

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1

signed by the father, mother, guardian, person in loco

2

parentis or spouse of a married minor stating that the minor

3

applicant has completed [50] 65 hours of practical driving

4

experience, including no less than ten hours of nighttime

5

driving and five hours of inclement weather driving, 

6

accompanied as required under subsection (b). Submission of a

7

certification shall not subject the parent, guardian, person

8

in loco parentis or spouse of a married minor to any

9

liability based upon the certification.

10

(3)  Have the certification form completed when the minor

11

is ready for the licensing examination. The certification

12

form shall be developed by the department and will be

13

provided by the department when the original application for

14

a learner's permit is processed. The department will make

15

this form readily available through the mail or electronic

16

means.

17

* * *

18

§ 1538.  School, examination or hearing on accumulation of

19

points or excessive speeding.

20

* * *

21

(e)  Additional suspension of operating privilege.--

22

(1)  In addition to any other provisions of law relating

23

to the suspension or revocation of operating privileges, a

24

person's operating privileges shall be suspended under any of

25

the following circumstances:

26

(i)  Prior to reaching age 18, the person violates

27

section 3362 (relating to maximum speed limits) by

28

traveling 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed

29

limit and the violation results in a conviction, guilty

30

plea or plea of no contest before or after the person

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1

reaches age 18.

2

(ii)  The person accumulates six or more points under

3

the provisions of section 1535 (relating to schedule of

4

convictions and points) and the violations resulting in

5

points accumulation were committed before the person

6

reached age 18.

7

(2)  The first suspension under paragraph (1) shall be

8

for a period of 90 days with every subsequent suspension

9

under paragraph (1) to be for a period of 120 days.

10

Suspensions under paragraph (1) shall be imposed

11

consecutively to each other and to any other suspension. A

12

suspension under paragraph (1) shall be considered a

13

subsequent suspension even if it is imposed contemporaneously

14

with a first suspension imposed under paragraph (1). A

15

suspension under this paragraph shall be in lieu of a

16

suspension under subsection (d)(1).

17

Section 4.  Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:

18

§ 3316.  Prohibiting use of interactive wireless communication

19

device.

20

(a)  Driver restrictions.--

21

(1)  No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a roadway

22

or trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an interactive

23

wireless communication device for a purpose other than:

24

(i)  voice communication through the use of an

25

interactive wireless communications device while in

26

hands-free mode;

27

(ii)  reading, selecting or entering a telephone

28

number or name into an interactive wireless communication

29

device for the purpose of voice communication; or

30

(iii)  utilizing a global positioning or navigation

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1

system.

2

(2)  No person with a learner's permit or junior driver's

3

license shall drive a motor vehicle upon a roadway or

4

trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an interactive

5

wireless communication device.

6

(b)  Exceptions.--This section shall not apply to:

7

(1)  A driver using an interactive wireless communication

8

device to contact a 911 system or wireless E-911 service, as

9

defined in the act of July 9, 1990 (P.L.340, No.78), known as

10

the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act.

11

(2)  A driver using an interactive wireless communication

12

device when the vehicle is stopped due to a traffic

13

obstruction and the motor vehicle transmission is in neutral

14

or park.

15

(3)  Operators of emergency vehicles who use an

16

interactive wireless communications device for voice

17

communication for the purpose of responding to an emergency

18

while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

19

(4)  Volunteer emergency responders who use an

20

interactive wireless communications device for voice

21

communication for the purpose of responding to an emergency

22

while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

23

(c)  Seizure.--The provisions of this section shall not be

24

construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of an

25

interactive wireless communication device.

26

(d)  Penalty.--

27

(1)  A person who violates subsection (a) commits a

28

summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to

29

pay a fine of $50.

30

(2)  A person who violates subsection (a) while passing

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1

through a school zone, as defined and provided under the

2

regulations of the department, commits a summary offense and

3

shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $100.

4

An official traffic-control device shall indicate the

5

beginning and end of each school zone to traffic approaching

6

in each direction. Establishment of a school zone, including

7

its location and hours of operation, shall be approved by the

8

department.

9

(e)  Public education and awareness program.--The department

10

shall develop and maintain Statewide public education and

11

awareness programs to combat distracted driving and driving

12

under the influence and promote awareness of the provisions of

13

this section subject to available funding.

14

(f)  Guidelines.--The department shall, in consultation with

15

the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania State Police,

16

promulgate guidelines for the implementation of subsection (e)

17

within six months of the effective date of this section.

18

(g)  Insurance.--An insurer may not charge an insured who has

19

been convicted under this section a higher premium for a policy

20

of insurance in whole or in part by reason of that conviction.

21

(h)  Department to compile report.--The department shall

22

annually compile and make available to the Transportation

23

Committee of the Senate and the Transportation Committee of the

24

House of Representatives a report detailing the public education

25

efforts to combat distracted driving and driving under the

26

influence and promote awareness of the provisions of this

27

section.

28

(i)  Definitions.--As used in this section, the following

29

words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this

30

subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

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1

"Hands-free mode."  The use of an interactive wireless

2

communications device that allows the user to engage in

3

communication without the use of either hand by means of an

4

internal feature or function or an attachment or device.

5

"Volunteer emergency responder."  Any of the following:

6

(1)  A member of a volunteer ambulance service as defined

7

in section 102 of the act of July 31, 2003 (P.L.73, No.17),

8

known as the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance

9

Service Grant Act.

10

(2)  A member of a volunteer fire company as defined in

11

section 102 of the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer

12

Ambulance Service Grant Act.

13

(3)  A member of a volunteer rescue company as defined in

14

section 102 of the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer

15

Ambulance Service Grant Act.

16

Section 5.  Sections 3326(c), 3327(e) and 3752(a) of Title 75

17

are amended to read:

18

§ 3326.  Duty of driver in construction and maintenance areas or

19

on highway safety corridors.

20

* * *

21

(c)  Fines to be doubled.--For any of the following

22

violations, when committed in an active work zone manned by

23

workers acting in their official capacity or on a highway safety

24

corridor designated under section 6105.1 (relating to

25

designation of highway safety corridors), the fine shall be

26

double the usual amount:

27

Section 3102 (relating to obedience to authorized persons

28

directing traffic).

29

Section 3111 (relating to obedience to traffic-control

30

devices).

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1

Section 3112 (relating to traffic-control signals).

2

Section 3114 (relating to flashing signals).

3

Section 3302 (relating to meeting vehicle proceeding in

4

opposite direction).

5

Section 3303 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

6

left).

7

Section 3304 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

8

right).

9

Section 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on

10

the left).

11

Section 3306 (relating to limitations on driving on left

12

side of roadway).

13

Section 3307 (relating to no-passing zones).

14

Section 3309 (relating to driving on roadways laned for

15

traffic).

16

Section 3310 (relating to following too closely).

17

Section 3316(a) (relating to prohibiting use of

18

interactive wireless communication device).

19

Section 3323 (relating to stop signs and yield signs).

20

Section 3326 (relating to duty of driver in construction

21

and maintenance areas or on highway safety corridors).

22

Section 3361 (relating to driving vehicle at safe speed).

23

Section 3362 (relating to maximum speed limits).

24

Section 3702 (relating to limitations on backing).

25

Section 3714 (relating to careless driving).

26

Section 3736 (relating to reckless driving).

27

Section 3802 (relating to driving under influence of

28

alcohol or controlled substance).

29

* * *

30

§ 3327.  Duty of driver in emergency response areas.

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1

* * *

2

(e)  Fines to be doubled.--In addition to any penalty as

3

provided in subsection (b), the fine for any of the following

4

violations when committed in an emergency response area manned

5

by emergency service responders shall be double the usual

6

amount:

7

Section 3102 (relating to obedience to authorized persons

8

directing traffic).

9

Section 3111 (relating to obedience to traffic-control

10

devices).

11

Section 3114 (relating to flashing signals).

12

Section 3302 (relating to meeting vehicle proceeding in

13

opposite direction).

14

Section 3303 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

15

left).

16

Section 3304 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

17

right).

18

Section 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on

19

the left).

20

Section 3306 (relating to limitations on driving on left

21

side of roadway).

22

Section 3307 (relating to no-passing zones).

23

Section 3310 (relating to following too closely).

24

Section 3312 (relating to limited access highway

25

entrances and exits).

26

Section 3316(a) (relating to prohibiting use of

27

interactive wireless communication device).

28

Section 3323 (relating to stop signs and yield signs).

29

Section 3325 (relating to duty of driver on approach of

30

emergency vehicle).

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1

Section 3361 (relating to driving vehicle at safe speed).

2

Section 3707 (relating to driving or stopping close to

3

fire apparatus).

4

Section 3710 (relating to stopping at intersection or

5

crossing to prevent obstruction).

6

Section 3714 (relating to careless driving).

7

Section 3736 (relating to reckless driving).

8

Section 3802 (relating to driving under influence of

9

alcohol or controlled substance).

10

* * *

11

§ 3752.  Accident report forms.

12

(a)  Form and content.--The department shall prepare and upon

13

request supply to all law enforcement agencies and other

14

appropriate agencies or individuals, forms for written accident

15

reports as required in this subchapter suitable with respect to

16

the persons required to make the reports and the purposes to be

17

served. The written report forms shall call for sufficiently

18

detailed information to disclose with reference to a vehicle

19

accident the cause, conditions then existing and the persons and

20

vehicles involved, including whether the driver of the vehicle

21

was using an interactive wireless communication device when the

22

accident occurred, and such other information as the department

23

may require. Reports for use by the drivers and owners shall

24

also provide for information relating to financial

25

responsibility.

26

* * *

27

Section 6.  Section 3753 of Title 75 is amended by adding a

28

subsection to read:

29

§ 3753.  Department to compile, tabulate and analyze accident

30

reports.

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1

* * *

2

(b.1)  Report on interactive wireless communications

3

devices.--The department shall annually compile and make

4

available to the public information submitted on an accident

5

report concerning interactive wireless communications devices in

6

motor vehicles involved in traffic accidents. The report shall

7

note whether the driver of the motor vehicle was using an

8

interactive wireless communications device when the accident

9

occurred. The data shall be included in a report submitted to

10

the Transportation Committee of the Senate and the

11

Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.

12

* * *

13

Section 7.  Sections 4527, 4581(a) and (b) and 6101 of Title

14

75 are amended to read:

15

§ 4527.  [Television] Video receiving equipment.

16

(a)  General rule.--[No] Except as provided in subsection

17

(c), no person shall drive a motor vehicle [operated on a

18

highway shall be] equipped with [television-type] any image

19

display device, video receiving equipment, including a receiver,

20

a video monitor or a television or video screen capable of

21

displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces

22

entertainment or business applications or similar equipment

23

which is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of

24

the back of the driver's seat [or otherwise], or which is 

25

visible, directly or indirectly, to the driver while operating

26

the motor vehicle.

27

(a.1)  Except as provided in subsection (b), no person may

28

install in a motor vehicle an image display device intended to

29

be visible to a driver in the normal driving position when the

30

vehicle is in motion and when restrained by the safety seat belt

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1

system adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's

2

recommendations.

3

(b)  Exception.--This section shall not apply to the

4

following:

5

(1)  [Television-type receiving equipment] Image display

6

devices in a vehicle used exclusively for safety or law

7

enforcement purposes as approved by the Pennsylvania State

8

Police.

9

(2)  [Electronic displays] Image display devices used in

10

conjunction with in-vehicle navigation systems, related

11

traffic, road and weather information.

12

(3)  Image display devices that provide vehicle

13

information related to the driving task or to enhance or

14

supplement the driver's view forward, behind or to the sides

15

of the motor vehicle or permit the driver to monitor vehicle

16

occupants behind the driver.

17

(4)  Image display devices that do not display images to

18

the driver while the vehicle is in motion.

19

(5)  Image display devices which display an image while a

20

vehicle is parked.

21

(c)  Definitions.--As used in this section, the term "image

22

display device" means equipment capable of displaying to the

23

driver of the motor vehicle:

24

(1)  a broadcast television image; or

25

(2)  a visual image, other than text, from a digital

26

video disc or other storage device.

27

§ 4581.  Restraint systems.

28

(a)  Occupant protection.--

29

(1)  Any person who is operating a passenger car, Class I

30

truck, Class II truck, classic motor vehicle, antique motor

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1

vehicle or motor home and who transports a child under four

2

years of age anywhere in the motor vehicle, including the

3

cargo area, shall fasten such child securely in a child

4

passenger restraint system, as defined in subsection (d).

5

This subsection shall apply to all persons while they are

6

operators of motor vehicles where a seating position is

7

available which is equipped with a seat safety belt or other

8

means to secure the systems or where the seating position was

9

originally equipped with seat safety belts.

10

(1.1)  Any person who is operating a passenger car, Class

11

I truck, Class II truck, classic motor vehicle, antique motor

12

vehicle or motor home and who transports a child four years

13

of age or older but under eight years of age anywhere in the

14

motor vehicle, including the cargo area, shall fasten such

15

child securely in a fastened safety seat belt system and in

16

an appropriately fitting child booster seat, as defined in

17

subsection (d). This paragraph shall apply to all persons

18

while they are operators of motor vehicles where a seating

19

position is available which is equipped with a seat safety

20

belt or other means to secure the systems or where the

21

seating position was originally equipped with seat safety

22

belts. [A conviction under this paragraph by State or local

23

law enforcement agencies shall occur only as a secondary

24

action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been convicted of

25

violating any other provision of this title.]

26

(2)  [Except for children under eight years of age and

27

except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (1.1), each]

28

(i)  The driver [and front seat occupant] of a

29

passenger car, Class I truck, Class II truck or motor

30

home operated in this Commonwealth shall [wear] secure or

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1

cause to be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened

2

safety seat belt system the driver and every vehicle

3

occupant between eight years of age and 18 years of age.

4

[A conviction under this paragraph by State or local law

5

enforcement agencies shall occur only as a secondary

6

action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been

7

convicted of any other provision of this title. The

8

driver of a passenger automobile shall secure or cause to

9

be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened safety

10

seat belt system any occupant who is eight years of age

11

or older and less than 18 years of age.]

12

(ii)  Except for children under 18 years of age and

13

except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (1.1) and

14

subparagraph (i), each driver and front seat occupant of

15

a passenger car, Class I truck, Class II truck, classic

16

motor vehicle, antique motor vehicle or motor home

17

operated in this Commonwealth shall wear a properly

18

adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system.

19

(iii)  This paragraph shall not apply to:

20

[(i)] (A)  A driver or front seat occupant of any

21

vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966.

22

[(ii)] (B)  A driver or front seat occupant who

23

possesses a written verification from a physician

24

that he is unable to wear a safety seat belt system

25

for physical or medical reasons, or from a

26

psychiatrist or other specialist qualified to make an

27

informed judgment that he is unable to wear a safety

28

seat belt system for psychological reasons.

29

[(iii)] (C)  A rural letter carrier while

30

operating any motor vehicle during the performance of

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1

his duties as a United States postal service rural

2

letter carrier only between the first and last

3

delivery points.

4

[(iv)] (D)  A driver who makes frequent stops and

5

is traveling less than 15 miles per hour for the

6

purpose of delivering goods or services while in the

7

performance of his duties and only between the first

8

and last delivery points.

9

A violation of this paragraph shall not be subject to the

10

assessment of any points under section 1535 (relating to

11

schedule of convictions and points).

12

(3)  A driver who is under 18 years of age may not

13

operate a motor vehicle in which the number of passengers

14

exceeds the number of available safety seat belts in the

15

vehicle.

16

(b)  Offense.--Anyone who fails to comply with the provisions

17

of subsection (a)(1) or (1.1) shall be guilty of a summary

18

offense with a maximum fine of $100. The court imposing and

19

collecting any such fines shall transfer the fines thus

20

collected to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Child

21

Passenger Restraint Fund, pursuant to section 4582 (relating to

22

Child Passenger Restraint Fund). Anyone who violates subsection

23

(a)(2) or (3) commits a summary offense and shall, upon

24

conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $10. No person shall

25

be convicted of a violation of subsection (a)(2) or (3) unless

26

the person is also convicted of another violation of this title

27

which occurred at the same time. No costs as described in 42

28

Pa.C.S. § 1725.1 (relating to costs) shall be imposed for

29

summary conviction of subsection (a)(2) or (3). Conviction under

30

this subsection shall not constitute a moving violation.

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1

* * *

2

§ 6101.  Applicability and uniformity of title.

3

The provisions of this title shall be applicable and uniform

4

throughout this Commonwealth and in all political subdivisions

5

in this Commonwealth, and no local authority shall enact or

6

enforce any ordinance on a matter covered by the provisions of

7

this title unless expressly authorized. A person charged with

8

violating an ordinance determined to be enacted or enforced in

9

violation of this section shall be awarded court costs and

10

attorney fees incurred as a result of defending against the

11

charge.

12

Section 8.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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