GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Pennsylvania. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Requires a human operator in the driver’s position for every vehicle, including AV testing.
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 12.
Helmets required for all riders under 21 or who have been licensed for less than 2 years, except those who complete a PennDOT- or Motorcycle Safety Foundation-approved safety course. Universal helmet law repealed 2003.
4 years
65 and over: choice of 2- or 4-year renewal
Zero tolerance for some drugs
Legal for medical use
Zero tolerance for THC and metabolites
70
70
70
70
70
70
.10 and .16
Pennsylvania uses programs called Occupational Limited License (OLL) and Ignition Interlock Limited License (IILL)
Mandatory for high BAC (.10 or higher) and repeat convictions
Yes
Yes
Under 2 yrs (or until outgrows the top height or weight recommendations) in rear-facing child restraint
2-3 yrs in forward-facing child restraint
4-7 yrs booster seat
8-17 yrs
6
65 (10) + 5 in inclement weather
16 / 6
11 p.m. - 5 a.m.
First 6 months: no more than 1 under 18
Thereafter: no more than 3 under 18
17 years with driver's ed. and 12 months free of crash or conviction
18 without driver's ed.
16
Secondary; Primary for occupants ages 8-17
8 and over
8-17 yrs: All (primary enforcement)
No
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Permitted by state law
Active work zones when workers are present; in Philadelphia
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Specified jurisdictions
Shortly after the pandemic started last March, traffic safety officials sounded a warning when they saw an increase in the rate of traffic deaths per 100 million miles driven despite less traffic on the roads.
Story by Ed Blazina
January 14, 2021
With the Jan. 18 death of a University of Pittsburgh student struck by a Port Authority bus along Fifth Avenue in Oakland, Pittsburgh joined a disturbing national trend. At a time when traffic deaths across the country have gone down over the past 10 years, there has been one major exception: pedestrian deaths.
With the Jan. 18 death of a University of Pittsburgh student struck by a Port Authority bus along Fifth Avenue in Oakland, Pittsburgh joined a disturbing national trend. At a time when traffic deaths across the country have gone down over the past 10 years, there has been one major exception: pedestrian deaths.
Following three pedestrian fatalities over five days in Chester County (PA), this article cites GHSA's recent report on pedestrian deaths and what may be causing a national uptick.
Story by Erin McCarthy
April 30, 2019
As prom season approaches, Ford Driving Skills for Life visited students in Pennsylvania to encourage safe driving behaviors including refraining from getting behind the wheel impaired or distracted.
Story by Russ O'Reilly
March 27, 2019
