Feb 22, 2017 4 min read

For many drivers, years have passed since they fervently studied the state driver’s manual while preparing to take the test and get a license.

And since it might have been awhile since drivers familiarized themselves with the rules of the road, the state police and state Department of Transportation have joined forces to remind drivers not only about changes to existing laws but new ones during Highway Safety Awareness Week, which runs through Saturday. The agencies are focusing on changes to laws covering child passenger safety seats and texting while driving, while notifying drivers of the new requirements of the ignition interlock law that will go into effect in August.

“It is always good to remind drivers about traffic safety because it could save your life or the lives of others,” said Cpl. Adam Reed, state police spokesman in Harrisburg. “There are new laws as well as amendments to existing laws.

“A lot of drivers don’t keep track of the changes,” he added.

PennDOT and state police started the safety awareness week about three years ago, selecting four topics to focus on either because of changes in the law or a need to remind drivers of existing laws, said Jay Ofsanik, PennDOT District 12 safety press officer.

The child passenger safety seat law was changed in August, requiring children to be buckled in a rear-facing seat until they are 2 or meet the maximum weight or height requirements set by the manufacturer of the seat. Ofsanik said the law previously had required that children sit in the rear-facing seats until they were 1.

Washington police Capt. Steve Robertson said city police regularly check on children during traffic stops to make sure they are properly restrained.

“Occasionally, we’ll get one driver complaining about another driver if they spot a child that is in a vehicle and not in a safety seat,” Robertson said.

The penalties were increased in January for texting drivers operating a vehicle in a crash involving death or injury. “In addition to the fines, a driver could be sentenced to up to five years in jail if someone is killed by a driver who is texting and up to two years in jail if there is serious injury,” Ofsanik said.

Robertson said it is difficult to catch drivers while they are texting.

“They try to hide their cellphones and keep them down low,” Robertson said. “But if there is a crash, we can get a search warrant for the cellphone if we believe they were texting at the time. We can coordinate that information with the time of the crash.”

Ofsanik said there also will be a change to the ignition interlock law. Starting in August, drivers who are convicted of a first offense of drunken driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent or above will have to have an ignition interlock placed on any vehicle they drive, at their own expense. The current law requires the interlocks after a second conviction.

“This can be costly because the systems cost about $1,000 plus any maintenance,” Ofsanik said. “It is better to find a designated driver.”

Drivers also are being reminded of pedestrian safety laws and the necessity to yield to pedestrians, especially when coming from or turning into an alley, building, private road or driveway. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk and marked crosswalks when available, and if there is none, they should walk on the shoulder or edge of the road as far away from traffic as possible and in the opposite direction.

Canonsburg has two crosswalks mid-block on both East and West Pike Street. Flashing lights alert drivers of a pedestrian’s intent to cross the street.

“The area near the Senior Citizens Center is a concern because we have a lot of older people crossing there,” said Chief Al Coghill. “That crossing is on a straightaway, and drivers tend to go a little faster, especially when they see a green light ahead.”

Coghill said drivers need to stop when they see lights flashing and a pedestrian enter the crosswalk. The chief said they do have accidents involving pedestrians, but fortunately not too frequently.