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, according to a release from the governor's office.
The law goes
into effect Feb. 20, 2003.
The legislation,
which contains many of the measures first proposed by 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.
In addition,
the state added 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.
