Newspaper: Teen crash deaths point to need for stricter state laws

Two recent fatal accidents in the Pottstown area involving teenagers that left four young people dead has prompted The Pottstown Mercury to call for tougher new laws involving inexperienced drivers.

From an editorial in today's edition of The Mercury:

The two tragedies have brought back into focus a state legislative effort to limit the number of passengers allowed to ride with a teen driver.

House Bill 67 was first introduced to the Transportation Committee of the state House of Representatives back in January 2007 by Rep. Katharine Watson, a Republican from Bucks County.

The bill would limit the number of passengers under the age of 18 who are allowed to drive with a driver who has a junior license. Other provisions of HB 67 would strengthen the teen driving law requirements on hours of driving experience required before licensing.

HB 67 has been called "Lacey's Law" in memory of Lacey Gallagher. She was an 18-year-old Philadelphia high school student killed in April 2007 while riding in an SUV with six other teenagers on the way to a post-prom party.

Despite reforms in recent years, Pennsylvania continues to have some of the least restrictive laws regarding teen drivers. And, our young people are paying the price.

Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.