12/24/02-Calling it a “strong message that individual lives matter,” Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker Dec. 23 signed HB2410, legislation that will increase penalties for truck and car drivers who violate work-zone laws.

The legislation, which contains many of the measures first proposed by Gov. Schweiker earlier this year, increases penalties for drivers who cause serious bodily injury or the death of a person in a work zone. It provides for a mandatory 15-day license suspension for any driver whose vehicle is 11 mph or more over the speed limit in a work zone.

The doubling of fines is extended to safety corridors designated by the state Transportation Department. Fines in work zones already are doubled.

Provisions targeting commercial vehicles include a $150 fine for a single brake violation and a $300 fine if multiple charges are filed. Companies that allow drivers to operate vehicles with faulty brakes can be subject to a $300 fine for a single violation and can face a $600 fine if multiple charges are filed.

The bill also extends motor carrier vehicle safety requirements to a new weight class of trucks, truck tractors and combination rigs. In addition, there are tougher safety-certification, inspection and registration-renewal requirements for motor carrier vehicles and increased monetary penalties for motor carrier vehicles other than trailers that operate under a suspended registration.

10/4/02-Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker Oct. 3 called for the General Assembly to pass legislation aimed at reducing truck accidents in construction zones.The bill is in the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations committee.

The governor appealed for the bill's passage after reviewing the Pennsylvania transportation department's Task Force Report on Truck Safety Strategy. The task force report and legislation contain many of the measures first proposed by Gov. Schweiker in January during a two-day Pennsylvania Truck Safety Symposium.

HB2410 proposes increasing the penalties for brake violations and requires safety inspections before registration renewal. It also would extend the inspection authority of law enforcement inspecting commercial vehicles.'The bill also includes several measures aimed at increasing work zone safety, including double fines, requiring motorists to use headlights while driving in a work zone and allowing license suspension for speeding in a work zone.

'The legislative session is scheduled to end Nov. 30. For bill status, call (717) 787-2342.

4/23/02 - A bill introduced last month by Pennsylvania Rep. Richard Geist (R-Altoona), aimed at reducing truck accidents in construction zones, has yet to make its way out of the House.

HB2410 proposes increasing the penalties for brake violations and requires safety inspections before registration renewal. It also would require drug and alcohol testing after a major accident, and would increase the penalties for speeding in a work zone.

The bill also includes several measures aimed at increasing work zone safety, including double fines and allowing license suspension for speeding in a work zone. It has been sent to the House appropriations committee. For bill status, call (717) 787-2342.

2/8/02-Pennsylvania Rep. Richard Geist (R-Altoona) has proposed legislation aimed at reducing truck accidents in the state, particularly in construction zones. The bill is scheduled to be introduced in coming weeks.

The proposal would the penalties for brake violations from $50 to $1,000 and requires safety inspections before registration renewal. It also would require drug and alcohol testing after a major accident, and would increase the penalties for speeding in a work zone.

The bill also includes several measures aimed at increasing work zone safety, including double fines and allowing license suspension for speeding in a work zone. To contact Rep. Geist, call (814) 946-7218.

11/26/02 - State lawmakers passed legislation Nov. 25 that increases penalties for truck and car drivers who violate work-zone laws. The legislation now goes to Gov. Mark Schweiker, who urged lawmakers to pass the bill.

The legislation increases penalties for drivers who cause serious bodily injury or the death of a person in a work zone. It provides for a 15-day suspension of a license for any driver who commits an accident reported by law enforcement to PENNDOT, and a 15-day license suspension for any driver whose vehicle is 11 mph or more over the speed limit in an active work zone.

The safety bill doubles fines for traffic offenses committed in active work zones and makes it a summary offense for a driver to operate a motor carrier vehicle, bus or school bus with faulty brake equipment.

The bill also extends motor carrier vehicle safety requirements to a new weight class of trucks, truck tractors and combination rigs. In addition, there are tougher safety-certification, inspection and registration-renewal requirements for motor carrier vehicles and increased monetary penalties for motor carrier vehicles other than trailers that operate under a suspended registration.

12/10/01-The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill Dec. 3 that would put additional security measures in place for drivers seeking hazardous materials hauling licenses. HB2165, introduced by Rep. Richard Allen Geist (R-Altoona), requires applicants to be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal background check.

The bill initially would have required all CDL holders to be fingerprinted. Several lawmakers said that was too extreme, pointing out that bus drivers and others deemed unlikely to commit terrorist acts also would be required to submit to fingerprinting.

The bill, as amended to restrict the fingerprinting measure to hazmat drivers only, passed easily 192-1. It has been referred to the Senate transportation committee. The bill status number is (717) 787-2342.

9/26/01-Pennsylvania State Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) wants to reduce the speed limit for trucks on interstates and other major highways in the state. The Keystone State last had split speeds in 1973.

Marsico plans to introduce legislation this fall that would establish a maximum speed limit of 55 mph for vehicles exceeding 9,000 pounds and allow all other vehicles to continue to cruise at 65 mph.

Marsico told the (Chambersburg) Public Opinion newspaper that large and heavy commercial vehicles that travel at "excessive speeds" are extremely dangerous. "I believe the momentum of such vehicles is too great to permit travel at speeds exceeding 55 mph," he said.

Pennsylvania truckers, time to lend your expertise on the dangers of speed differentials. To voice your opinions to Rep. Marsico, call his office at (717) 783-2014.

7/12/01-Gov. Tom Ridge has signed a bill (HB153) that raises fines for logbook violations from $50 to $500 into law. A Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee also has been formed under the new law. The committee will be responsible for such things as developing continuing education programs for first- and second-year CDL drivers; authorizing a potential fuel tax rebate for motor carriers using the Pennsylvania Turnpike; and increasing motor carrier penalties for moving violations. The law takes effect immediately.

6/25/01 - HB153 passed the Senate and is awaiting Gov. Tom Ridge's signature. The bill raises fines for logbook violations from $50 to $500. Language that would have allowed the state to incorporate the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance out-of-service criteria as state law was left off the bill. At press time, the governor has until June 23 to sign the bill into law.

5/14/2001 - HB289, introduced by Rep. Keith McCall, would see highways now marked 55 mph would go to 65 mph for all vehicles. The bill has been referred to the House Transportation Committee.
Rep. Stephen Maitland introduced a bill (HB491) that would require loads of loose material to be covered and no higher than the four solid sides of the truck. Trucks found in violation could be subject to a fine ranging from $100-$1,000. HB491 has been referred to the House Transportation Committee.
SB263, introduced by Sen. Charles Dent, would double the fines for vehicles with more than two axles that are ticketed for following too closely and exceeding the speed limit. The bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.
The bill status number is (717) 787-2342. The session is scheduled to end by late June.

4/24/01 - HB153, now moving through the state legislature, would raise fines for logbook violations by 1000 percent (from $50 to $500). In addition to increasing fines, the legislation also would incorporate the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance out-of-service criteria as state law. The bill, introduced by Rep. Ronald Marsico, has already passed the House and, at press time, is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee. If the bill receives committee approval it will move to the floor of the Senate.
The bill status number for the Pennsylvania General Assembly is (717) 787-2342.

3/28/01-OOIDA sent "call to action" memos to all Pennsylvania members on Wednesday, informing them that lawmakers in Harrisburg are poised to raise the fines for logbook violations by 1000 percent, from $50 to $500. According to OOIDA's Todd Spencer, executive vice president, this legislation has already cleared the state House of Representatives and unless truckers act fast, it could pass the Senate as well.
The legislation is HB153, introduced by state Rep. Ronald Marsico, District 105 Dauphin. In addition to increasing fines, the legislation also incorporates the CUSA out-of-service criteria as state law. Of special interest, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) maximum fine for an hours-of-service violation is $100, not $500 as proposed in HB153.
OOIDA is urging Pennsylvania truckers to contact their state senator and urge them to vote no on HB153 or to amend the legislation to a reasonable fine level for violations.
The legislation is currently pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee. If the bill receives committee approval it goes on to the Senate floor.
Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee:

The best way to be heard is to write. The mailing address for the Pennsylvania Senate is: Capitol Bldg., Senate Post Office, Harrisburg, PA 17120