Family Life

12.20.11 | Bob Price

Pennsylvania's new law aimed at increasing safety for young drivers takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 24. The new law increases behind-the-wheel training requirements, places a limit on the number of passengers a young driver can transport and makes not wearing a seatbelt a primary offense for young drivers.
          The new law adds 15 hours of supervised, behind-the-wheel training for driver's license permit holders younger than 18.  Also, as part of the law, drivers younger than 18 will not be permitted to transport more than one passenger who is under 18 and is not an immediate family member unless they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
          The law also requires that junior drivers and passengers under the age of 18 must wear a seat belt, and children under the age of eight must be fastened in a child restraint system. The seat belt provisions of the new law are primary offenses, meaning a driver can be stopped and cited solely for that violation.