PennDOT, State Police Highlight Highway Safety Laws to Increase Awareness, Safety

PennDOT, State Police Highlight Highway Safety Laws to Increase Awareness,
Safety

2/18/2016-KING OF PRUSSIA

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Leslie S.
Richards and State Police Commissioner Tyree Blocker today urged drivers to

review and obey driver safety laws that can often be overlooked.

"We look to create awareness surrounding laws that drivers may not pay
attention to, but also to provide reminders as to what each law entails,"
Secretary Richards said. "PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police feel it
is
important to raise awareness through education and outreach, but to also
spark
conversation via social media."

Ahead of the state's Highway Safety Law Awareness week, which runs from
February 21-27, the agencies provide the following reminders:
•The "4 Foot Bicycle Law" requires drivers to pass a bicycle at a distance
of
"not less than four feet" at a careful and prudent speed. The law also
permits
drivers to cross the center line during this process if safely able to do
so.
No turn by a driver should interfere with a bicycle proceeding straight.

•"Obey Traffic Signals" focuses on driver safety due to hazardous
conditions.
Drivers who drive around or through traffic control devices closing a road
or
highway could receive a $250 fine and two points on their driving record.

•"Teen Seat Belt Law" requires that the driver and all passengers under the
age
of 18 must wear a seat belt anywhere in the vehicle. Also, drivers under 18
may
not operate a vehicle where the number of passengers exceeds the number of
available seat belts.

•"Increased fines in work zones" urges motorists to be aware when passing
through an active work zone. Anyone violating the posted speed limit by
more
than five miles per hour will face doubled fines. The fine is determined
based
on the amount the driver is traveling over the speed limit. A recent
amendment
of the law also states that any driver who causes serious bodily injury
within
a work zone could face up to $5,000 in fines and a six-month license
suspension. A driver causing a death within a work zone would face up to a
$10,000 fine and one-year license suspension.

"It is important that every driver on Pennsylvania's roadways is familiar
with
the laws as they relate to operating a vehicle," Colonel Blocker said.
"This
familiarity can go a long way towards keeping yourself and others safe
while
behind the wheel."

Join the conversation on social media using #PATrafficLaw on Twitter and
Facebook.

For more information on highway safety, visit www.JustDrivePA.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Schoch, PennDOT, 717-783-8800; Adam Reed, PSP,
717-783-5556

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