Mizgorski Transportation Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk
HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by Rep. Lori Mizgorski (R-Allegheny) to help improve safety on the Commonwealth’s roadways is now awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.
The bill would improve safety by placing more stringent incident reporting requirements on holders of commercial driver licenses (CDL). It was also amended to expand driving opportunities for people with disabilities and assist homeless citizens by offering free state IDs.
“I first introduced this bill after learning of a tractor trailer driver who caused two fatal accidents within six months. In July of 2018, the first fatal accident occurred on Interstate 81 in Lebanon County. By the time this individual was convicted in that case, he had already caused a second fatal accident in Ohio,” Mizgorski said. “We need to make sure the employers of CDL holders are promptly informed when one of their drivers is cited for breaking the law.”
House Bill 2296 would require that a driver of a commercial motor vehicle who is cited, arrested or charged with violating a federal or state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, must notify his or her employer in writing within 30 days of the date of receiving the citation or being arrested or officially charged.
“In addition to improving the safety of our roadways, the bill would make Pennsylvanians who have certain vision challenges eligible for a learner’s permit and driver’s license, and it would provide an opportunity to help our homeless citizens get back on their feet by providing them with a free Pennsylvania ID card,” Mizgorski said. “I am proud of the good this legislation will do for people across the Commonwealth.”
Specifically, the bill would establish a procedure for PennDOT to issue a bioptic telescope learner’s permit or driver’s license to people who meet specific visual acuity requirements and instruction in using a bioptic telescope. Bioptic driving is a method of driving that uses both the patient’s general vision in combination with intermittent spotting through a small telescopic system that improves the sharpness of the patient’s far vision. Pennsylvania would join 28 other states in offering a bioptic telescope license.
Additionally, the bill would codify mandatory CDL training requirements to comply with federal regulations, disqualify a CDL holder convicted of human trafficking and allow PennDOT to provide free state-issued ID cards to homeless citizens. Those applying for the free ID would still have to meet all proof of identification requirements.
Representative Lori Mizgorski
30th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia Hippler
717-772-9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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