The law expands the training requirements for teen drivers.
St. Xavier 10th-grade student Drew Friedmann, right, drives his friend, Nick Summe, a ninth-grader, home from track practice in March 2007 near Cincinnati.Parents in the past might have balked at letting their teens drive in foul weather, but a Pennsylvania law that went into effect early Tuesday morning will push some parents outside their comfort zone.
The law, which is widely known as "Lacey's Law," is adding tougher requirements for young teen drivers on their way to getting a full license.
"The important aspect of this is the 15 extra hours they are getting ... nighttime and inclement weather are important aspects for young drivers," said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. James Raykovitz, Troop M's patrol section that covers Northampton, Lehigh and Bucks counties.
Among the biggest changes, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation:
- Training hours for permit holders have been expanded by 15 hours, bringing the total to 65 hours. Ten hours must be at nighttime and five must be in adverse weather conditions.
- Junior license holders younger than 18 cannot transport more than one passenger who is under 18 and is not an immediate family member unless they are accompanied by a parent.
- Police will be able to pull over permit-holders younger than
18 for not wearing a seat belt. Violations carry a $75 fine.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, who serves on the House Transportation Committee, said the law is aimed more at protecting children and doesn't put undo restrictions on them.
"This is one step that we can take to help young drivers be safe on the road," Heffley said. "I think it's going to teach them good driving habits."
While the inclement weather provision might be harrowing to some parents, it will be better for the young drivers in the long run, said Pennsylvania State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton.
"It doesn't have to be a snowstorm, it can be a slick road or a drizzly day," Freeman said.
Statistically, Raykovitz said he thinks younger drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, if for no other reason than they are inexperienced. He said other distractions, like cell phones and texting, pose a greater temptation to younger drivers.
"In the fairly recent past we have had serious, even fatal crashes involving high school students," Raykovitz said.
That's what the legislation is trying to avoid. "Lacey's Law" is named for Lacey Gallagher, 18, from the Philadelphia area. She was killed in a car crash in April 2007. She was a passenger in a vehicle with six other teenagers. All of the other teens were injured and none wore seat belts.
Raykovitz said state police have been preparing for the law changes since the measure passed earlier this month, but they will review them in pre-shift roll calls in the coming days. Raykovitz said he expects to get feedback from patrol troopers about how the changes are working.
The law adds to another measure that Raykovitz said Troop M has been doing since 2004. Called "Operation Safe Teen," the program has police contact the parents of young drivers through phone calls, letters or in-person visits, following motor vehicle infractions.
Raykovitz said he thinks the program is unique to Troop M.
Gov. Tom Corbett signed "Lacey's Law" Oct. 25 after both chambers of the Legislature approved it overwhelmingly. Supporters cited a recent state study that showed fatal crashes involving 16- or 17-year-old drivers increasing from 40 in 2009 to 57 last year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.