State lawmakers Monday passed legislation 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.