Posted: | November 5, 2021 01:38 PM |
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From: | Representative Stephen Kinsey |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Protecting Student Pedestrians |
Protecting our children from the dangers of the road has been getting harder in recent years. Distractions, such as phone use or listening to music, have made both drivers and pedestrians less alert on the roads in our communities. As of 2016, one in four high school students and one in six middle school students cross roadways while engaging with distractions such as texting which has led to national teen pedestrian death rates increasing by 13% since 2013. In an effort to keep our children safe as they walk to and from school, I will soon be introducing legislation that will prohibit turns at red traffic lights in school zones. These areas are often filled with student pedestrians, young drivers, and heavy traffic during active hours. This legislation would add necessary safety measures to ensure safe driving and promote safe pedestrian activity around our schools. Furthermore, this bill will also require PennDOT to post “No Turn on Red” signs at each of these intersections to ensure that drivers are fully aware of this rule. As legislators, ensuring the safety of the next generation of Pennsylvanians is always at the forefront of our minds. Please join me in addressing driver and pedestrian distractions and the rising rates of teen pedestrian accidents by supporting this legislation to protect our students at intersections through the prohibition of turning on red within school zones. |
Introduced as HB2350