ROAD WATCH COL. 12-6
(A Patch Quilt of Motor Vehicle Laws Makes No Sense)

AAA Mid-Atlantic announced support of Philadelphia’s ban effective Dec. 1 on handheld cell phones and texting while driving a vehicle, but said a statewide law is needed in fairness to motorists.
I second that motion because how many people from surrounding suburbs or upstate or out-of-state know about this new regulation when they enter the city – especially if not enough signs are posted by the city.
The motorist organization – as does Road Watcher – believes legislation regulating motor vehicles should come from state lawmakers, not local municipalities. Some other municipalities, including Lower Chichester in Delaware County, have enacted such ordinances, but this just contributes to a confusing zig-zagging patch quilt of jurisdictions that many motorists may not be aware of.
I say let local municipalities enact local zoning and miscellaneous ordinances, but leave matters of motor vehicle regulation, inspection and related issues under the jurisdiction of PennDOT and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Are we going to have local mayors, commissioners and councilmen check tire pressures and mufflers next?
“A patchwork of local ordinances is unfair and can be confusing to motorists,” says AAA spokeswoman Catherine Rossi. AAA called on state lawmakers to pass a statewide law banning texting while driving.
“Texting while driving is the epitome of distracted driving,” Rossi said. “Research shows that our crash risk doubles when we look away from the road for two or more seconds.
“No message is worth the risk to yourself or other drivers,” she said. “If a message or an e-mail just can’t wait – pull over to a safe area before replying.”
AAA believes that laws that prohibit handheld cell phones while driving, but allow hands-free phone use feed the misconception that hands-free cell phones are safer. Research such as a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has shown that whether handheld or hands-free, it is the conversation that is the distraction.
Drivers using a cell phone while driving are far more likely to be involved in a crash, using either method.
House Bill 2070, House Bill 1375 and Senate Bill 143 seek to ban texting while driving.
An amendment to H.B. 67 would expand the state’s careless driving statute to include reckless driving caused by distractions including interactive wireless communications devices, electronic, electrical or mechanical devices, eating, drinking, grooming and reading.
Nope, you got to be kidding about the latter four activities – talk about Big Brother encroaching on our lives. And that last activity – how are you supposed to read a map?
Nineteen states including nearby New Jersey have laws on the books banning texting while driving; seven others have pending legislation.
Photo ID Cards
Starting last week, PennDOT is making photo identification cards available to Pennsylvania residents aged 10 and older. The previous minimum age requirement to obtain a photo ID card was 16.
The law took effect Nov. 29. All other requirements for obtaining a Pennsylvania photo ID card remain the same.
PennDOT reminds individuals under 18 applying for a state photo ID card that a parent, guardian or person acting in loco parentis must accompany them to a PennDOT License Center.
To locate a PennDOT Driver License Center, visit the Locations Information Center on the Driver and Vehicle Services Web site, www.dmv.state.pa.us.
The form DL-54A, “Application for Initial Photo Identification Card,” is available on the Web site.
An individual must bring the form completed, along with the required identity documents and a fee of $12 to a PennDOT Driver License Center to obtain the photo ID.
Vets License Plates
Honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces have a new way to proudly display their service as PennDOT has a new series of military license plates honoring vets of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
What happened to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard?
The new plates feature the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white and yellow, along with the applicable branch of service emblem or logo on the left side of the plate.
Pennsylvania is printed at the top of the plate, with the name of the applicable branch of service at the bottom.
To obtain one of these plates, honorably discharged vets must complete and mail Form MV-150, Application for U.S. Military Veteran Registration Plate, to PennDOT and include a certified copy of their DD-214 form, along with a $20 fee.
The MV-150 form is available on PennDOT’s Web site, www.dmv.state.pa.us.
New Traffic Light
A new traffic signal is now operating at the intersection of Route 252 (Darby Paoli Road) and White Horse Road in Newtown, Delaware County, and Easttown Township, Chester County, PennDOT said. The project was completed four weeks ahead of schedule and was financed with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Previously, the intersection operated only with a stop sign on White Horse Road.
PennDOT’s contractor began construction on Sept. 28 under a $129,291 contract to enhance traffic flow and safety at the intersection.
The new traffic signal includes emergency pre-emption equipment to allow emergency vehicles to receive priority control through the intersection, a video detection system to maximize the green light time on Route 252 and an advance green phase for left turns onto White Horse Road from Route 252 North.
About 20,000 vehicles a day travel on Route 252 through the intersection and the presence of a new traffic signal is allowing White Horse Road motorists to turn safely onto Route 252.
Newtown funded the engineering design phase of the project.
Blue Route Work
Nighttime lane closures 10 p.m.-5 a.m. are scheduled on the Blue Route (I-476) in Montgomery County tonight through Thursday for continuing construction between the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Mid-County Interchange and I-76 Interchange.
Lane restrictions will be in place as crews continue to work in preparation for shifting construction from the northbound I-476 bridge over the Schuylkill River to the southbound crossing in early January, and to repave shoulders and build crossovers for the start of reconstruction in early 2010 on 3.2 miles of I-476 South.
Traffic Delays
U.S. Route 322 East (Conchester Highway) – Bethel and Upper Chichester, Chester Water Authority installation, lane restrictions between Creek Parkway and U.S. Route 1, 7 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through Dec. 11.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown and Chester Heights, bridge replacement between Darlington Road and Station Road, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011. Work began Oct. 12. Cost is $4.27 million; contractor is J.D. Eckman Inc.
Chester — Flower Street, ramp construction with a new traffic pattern at Fourth and Second streets, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, Norris Street, ramp construction with lane restrictions at Front Street and Delaware Avenue, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.