Transportation Safety

PennDOT School Message: Seat Belt/Teen Reminders 

With the new school year in full swing, PennDOT is reminding young drivers and parents/caregivers alike of the state’s laws regarding child passenger safety. Drivers or passengers under 18 years of age must buckle up. Children under 8 years old must be properly restrained. This is a primary law, which means that police will pull you over, write you a ticket and if convicted, you’ll have to pay a fine. To learn about recommendations on child safety seats as well as the state’s law for wearing seat belts over age 18, visit JustDrivePA.com.

All drivers should be aware of fall driving hazards as October and November approaches. Wet leaves, fog, sun glare, and frost are only a few of those hazards. Hunting and mating season also causes deer to become more active. PennDOT reminds driver to remain aware to changing driving conditions and avoid distractions especially in unfamiliar surroundings. To learn more information on fall driving, visit www.JustDrivePA.com.

With school back in session, PennDOT, Buckle Up PA, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds teachers and students that a new Traffic Safety School Program “Sit Back- It’s Elementary” has been developed. The materials are designed to provide lifesaving messages to Elementary School Students and reduce the number of unnecessary traffic related injuries and deaths. For more information on the types of activities the program offers, visit pasafetyedu.org.

• PA Department of Transportation - Free Highway Safety Programs For Teens
  
• Anti-Texting Law Fact
• Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving - National Safety Council
• DISTRACTION.GOV - Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving
• Drive Safe PA
  
• Drive Safe APP - This App Saves Lives (TASL)
  
• Just Drive: Work Zone Smart Video - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• Kids and Air Bags Don't Mix - Safe Ride News Publications
• NEVER leave a child alone in a car - even for a minute! - Safe Kids USA
• New Teen Driver Law - Act 81 of 2011
  
• "One Parent to Another" Pedestrian Safety - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• Operation Safe Stop 2010 - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• Overview of New Transportation Safety laws in Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project
• "Walk This Way": Pedestrian Safety for Young Children - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
  
• Pennsylvania School Bus Association - Safety & Education
  
• Pennsylvania Teen Safe Driving Resource Guide
  
• School Bus Safety - AboutSchool.com
• Selecting the Right Car Seat - Safe Ride News Publications
• Traffic Injury Prevention Project
  
• Winter Safety & Car Seats - Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project