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PA SB542

PA SB542
In licensing of drivers, further providing for schedule of convictions and points; in rules of the road in general, further providing for speed timing devices; and, in powers of department and local authorities, further providing for specific powers of department and local authorities.


summary

Introduced
04/04/2025
In Committee
04/04/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, further providing for schedule of convictions and points; in rules of the road in general, further providing for speed timing devices; and, in powers of department and local authorities, further providing for specific powers of department and local authorities.

AI Summary

This bill modifies several provisions of Pennsylvania's vehicle laws, primarily focusing on speed enforcement and driver licensing. In the section concerning driver convictions and points, the bill clarifies that no points will be assigned for speeding offenses detected by speed timing devices unless the speed is 10 or more miles per hour over the legal limit. The bill also establishes new rules for using speed timing devices like radar (radio-microwave) and LIDAR (laser light), expanding their use beyond just state police to include full-time police officers in certain counties, with specific training and signage requirements. Local police departments can now use these devices for speed enforcement, but must first pass a local ordinance and conduct a traffic safety study. The bill mandates that such enforcement is primarily for safety, not revenue, and requires any excess municipal revenue from speed citations to be remitted to the state police for traffic safety purposes. Additionally, the bill modifies rules about speed enforcement on limited access or divided highways, specifying when local police can patrol and issue citations, with special provisions for first-class cities. The changes aim to standardize and regulate speed enforcement practices across Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on safety and proper procedure. The bill will take effect 120 days after its passage.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (13)

Last Action

Referred to Transportation (on 04/04/2025)

bill text


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