12/5/06-A bill that sought to toughen regulations for drivers 16 and 17 years old has died.
Sponsored by Rep. Katharine Watson, R-Bucks, HB2684 remained in the House Transportation Committee when the session ended, effectively killing it for the year.
The bill would have restricted young drivers to one passenger under 18 at a time. Family members would have been exempted from the passenger restriction.
State or local police also would have been given authority to pull over young drivers for not wearing a seat belt. Pennsylvania law now requires offenders to be pulled over for another offense, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for failure to buckle up.
One other provision in the bill would have required aspiring drivers to spend more time practicing. Existing state law requires a permit holder to complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, have their learner’s permit for six months before taking a driver’s exam and have an adult at least 21 years old with them in a vehicle.
The bill would have boosted the training time to 65 hours. It would have included 10 hours of nighttime training and five hours experience driving during inclement weather.

7/20/06-A bill in the House Transportation Committee would toughen regulations for drivers 16 and 17 years old.
Sponsored by Rep. Katharine Watson, R-Bucks, HB2684 would restrict young drivers to one passenger under 18 at a time. Family members would be exempted from the passenger restriction.
State or local police also would be given authority to pull over young drivers for not wearing a seat belt. Pennsylvania law now requires offenders to be pulled over for another offense, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for failure to buckle up.
One other provision in the bill would require aspiring drivers to spend more time practicing. Existing state law requires a permit holder to complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, have their learner’s permit for six months before taking a driver’s exam and have an adult at least 21 years old with them in a vehicle.
The bill would boost the training time to 65 hours. It would include 10 hours of nighttime training and five hours experience driving during inclement weather.
For bill status, call (717) 787-6732.