Posted by Mark Koenig on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Matthew Santoni of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes:
Officials hope that by providing more detailed driving histories through PennDOT, employers can keep dangerous drivers from getting behind the wheel for work.
The state will now report whether an accident on a driver’s record involved a fatality, at least one injury or damage to property, said PennDOT spokeswoman Danielle Klinger. But because police, not PennDOT, determine fault, it will be up to employers to ask employees or job candidates about citations and violations.
“Even with listing the crash severity, the onus is still on the employer or potential employer to ask questions and follow up,” Klinger said.
Currently, driving records show whether a motorist was involved in a crash, along with any past suspensions or citations.
State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery County, requested PennDOT make the changes to its reporting system after a fatal accident Feb. 17 involving a Collegeville-area school bus driver, who had obtained a commercial driver’s license and been hired despite a fatal accident on his record from 1999.
Shapiro touted the new policy’s importance to school districts hiring bus drivers, but Klinger said the information would show up on all drivers’ histories.
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Posted by Mark Koenig on Thursday, July 15, 2010
Kaitlyn Foti of Montgomery News writes:
Abington Township is once again beaming with pride after being named by Money Magazine as one of the top 100 Best Places to Live.
This year, the township was listed as Number 29 on the magazine’s selective list.
“I’m so proud to live in and represent Abington. It truly is an extraordinary place to live and work,” said state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153, in a press release congratulating Abington on the news.
“This recognition is largely due to the commitment of so many in our schools, local government, community organizations and religious institutions to strive for better each and every day.”
The magazine calls Abington “a family-oriented suburb with a Philadelphia attitude” and lists the Keswick Theatre and Willow Grove Park mall among its assets.
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Posted by Josh Shapiro on Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Dear Friend:
Last week, I spoke on the House floor in favor of a strong distracted driving bill.
On two occasions in recent months, the House passed legislation to ban texting and talking on hand-held cell phones while driving for adults and all cell phone use for teens, and would make these a primary offense — meaning the police could pull over a driver violating these provisions before an accident occurs. Additionally, these bills contain important teen safety measures like increased driver’s education requirements, limiting the number of passengers a new teen driver can transport, and requiring seatbelts to be worn by all passengers.
The Senate amended our bills and returned to the House a watered-down, weak bill that among other things, eliminates the teen driver provisions, contains no ban on adult texting while driving and makes enforcement a secondary offense for teens, which means that a violator could only be fined after an accident has already occurred.
The Senate version of the bill is nothing more than window-dressing that won’t stop a single accident or save a single life.
On the House floor, I asked my colleagues to reject the Senate version in order to set up a bipartisan, joint House-Senate conference committee where we could reach some consensus to strengthen the distracted driving legislation. By a solid bipartisan vote, the House rejected the Senate version, setting the stage for a compromise bill to be passed in the fall.
I need your help to ensure we ultimately end up with a strong bill. The public has done a great job of driving this issue. From Oprah to constituents across the state, thousands have weighed in to support a strong distracted driver law in Pennsylvania that will save lives. So please take a moment to sign our online petition expressing your support for our efforts.
As always, I welcome your feedback.
All the best,
Rep. Josh Shapiro
Posted by Mark Koenig on Friday, July 2, 2010
Carl Hessler of The Delaware County Daily Times writes:
Pennsylvania House members have voted thumbs down to what they say is the Senate’s “watered down” version of a House proposal that would impose stricter rules for teen drivers.
By a bipartisan vote of 126-71, House members, Thursday night, rejected the Senate’s version of House Bill 67, complaining that the Senate version’s amendments weaken the bill in three significant ways, when it comes to cell phone and texting bans, passenger restrictions and driver training hours.
“The House sent a clear message today – we want a strong distracted driving bill that will save lives in Pennsylvania,” said State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153rd Dist., adding he will continue to work towards achieving a “stronger and more comprehensive” teen safety and distracted driving law for Pennsylvania residents.
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