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Committee advances bill to add work-zone safety question to junior driver test
Summary
House Bill 257 would require PennDOT to include at least one question on the written driving test about safely driving in work zones and require minors to view educational materials before junior license testing; the committee reported the bill as committed with no recorded opposition.
Chairman Ed Nielsen said the House Transportation Committee reported House Bill 257 as committed after a staff summary explaining the bill seeks to add work-zone safety education to driver testing requirements.
The staff summary said the bill requires PennDOT to include at least one question on the written driving test about how to drive safely in a work zone and requires a minor to view educational materials on the dangers of unsafe driving in work zones prior to testing for a junior driver's license. "A certification form signed by the parent, guardian, or spouse must be submitted to PennDOT certifying that this requirement has been met," the staff summary said. The driver's manual would also include a section related to driving safely in a work zone, along with penalties.
Why it matters: The sponsor framed the bill as an education measure to reduce unsafe driving in work zones. Committee discussion as recorded in the transcript was limited to the staff summary and the sponsor's request for an affirmative vote.
Action taken: Committee members recorded no amendments and no known opposition in the transcript. After asking for negative votes and recording none, the committee reported House Bill 257 as committed.
Context and next steps: The transcript contains no roll-call tally. The bill would direct PennDOT to change written testing and materials; the transcript did not include implementation timing or penalty details.
