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Police, PennDOT provide law updates

State police and PennDOT got together Friday as part of Highway Safety Law Awareness Week to remind drivers of some updates to several laws that enhanced penalties for certain violations.

“One of the more notable laws that was updated was the Child Passenger Safety Law that went into effect in August 2016,” noted PennDOT District 9 spokes­man Anthony Scalia.

The updated law requires children to be buckled into a rear-facing car seat until age 2 or until they meet the maximum weight or height requirements established by the car seat’s maker, Scalia said.

Trooper David McGarvey said until now, it was only a recommendation that children under 2 years old be secured in rear-facing seats.

“It’s much safer to have them in a rear-facing seat,” McGarvey said, adding that while the majority of parents abide by the recommendation and do their best for the safety of their children, the update is aimed at increasing the safety of kids.

“Keep them in rear-facing safety seats as long as possible, which hopefully will reduce the number of injuries and deaths of infants and children,” McGarvey said.

Daniel’s Law, named in honor of motorcyclist Daniel Gallitan, who was killed in 2013, increases penalties for drivers convicted of texting while driving when there is serious injury or death, Scalia said.

Other laws highlighted by police and PennDOT were the ignition interlock law, which affects second and subsequent DUI offenders. The law requires DUI-convicted drivers to install an interlock system, at a cost of $1,000 per unit, in every car they operate or lease for more than a year. The law goes into effect in August 2017.

Officials also pointed out the state’s pedestrian safety laws for people walking in unsignaled intersections require drivers pulling into or emerging from a private driveway, building, alley or private road to yield to pedestrians on any sidewalk or be subjected to a fine and being assessed three points.

“Usually, when you’re dealing with points, that is more of a concern to motorists than the fine,” McGarvey said.

Police also want to remind drivers it is illegal to pass a vehicle yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and that pedestrians should use sidewalks and crosswalks where provided.

Where there are no sidewalks, pedestrians should walk along the shoulder or the road’s edge as far from traffic as possible.

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