Proposed Pennsylvania Legislation

Vision Zero

While Philadelphia is working on a city level to address traffic-related crashes through the Vision Zero platform, the state legislature has stepped up efforts by introducing three bills currently under consideration. These proposed state laws speak to some of the most vital issues underlying Vision Zero including speed, use of cell phones and penalties for causing death or serious injury. The bills are proposed amendments to Title 75 (Vehicles) of PA Consolidated Statutes.

- Speed Cameras (Senate Bill 172)
This bill proposed by Senator David G. Argall would legalize speed cameras for a nine mile stretch of Roosevelt Boulevard. Read more.

- Vulnerable User Protection (House Bill 1646)
Introduced in July 2017 by Representatives Brett R. Miller and John Taylor, this bill increases the penalties for auto drivers who seriously injure or kill a vulnerable user of the highway. Vulnerable users include pedestrians, cyclists, those in wheelchairs and others.

Currently penalties for causing serious bodily injuries to a vulnerable user is $250 and the penalty is a mere $500 for causing death. The proposed House bill changes those penalties to $5,000 and $10,000 respectively. Read more.

- Ban Cell phone use (House Bill 1684)
Introduced by Representative Rosemary M. Brown, this proposed bill prohibits the use of hand held cell phones and imposes penalties. Currently, Pennsylvania prohibits texting on a cell phone but drivers are still permitted to have conversations via hand-held cell phones. Our state is behind the pack as many states in the northeast corridor have already banned hand-held devices for text and other functionalities (including, NJ, NY, CT, MD, DE, VT, NH, WV). The proposed bill imposes a $50 fine and 3 points for a first offense. Read more.