"Lacey's Law" Tightens Teen Driver Rules

Teenage drivers will face more training and new rules under Lacey’s law in Pennsylvania.

The new law limiting how many passengers that teen drivers can have and increasing the number of hours of behind-the-wheel experience required for a junior license was signed Tuesday by Gov. Tom Corbett.

Corbett told students at Harrisburg High School that he hopes it will save lives.

“You think we're picking on you? We are, we really are,” Corbett said. “We singled you out because we want you here a long time from now.”

The legislation is named for Lacey Gallagher, 18, from Philadelphia, who was killed in car crash on April 28, 2007. She was a passenger in an SUV with six other teenagers. All of the other teens were injured; none wore seat belts.

For six months, teens without a parent in the vehicle will not be allowed to have more than one friend or similar person under 18, who is not a member of their household, as a passenger. If they haven't caused an accident after six months, the teen driver could carry three such passengers.

It makes failure to wear seat belts a primary offense, so police can stop drivers under age 18 if they or their passengers are not wearing seat belts. Violations carry a $75 fine.

Corbett said questions about how police officers will know the age of drivers on sight is something to worry about in the future.

“It will all get litigated,” he said.

The law also requires teens with learner's permits to have 65 hours of driving experience to get a junior license, up from 50 hours. Teens can get a junior license starting at age 16. There is also a new requirement of five hours of bad-weather driving and 10 hours of night driving.

The signing came with bills pending in the state House to address distracted driving among all drivers.

“I want that bill passed,” Corbett said.

Read more about Lacey’s law here.