HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania AAA Federation, the association of AAA clubs in Pennsylvania, today applauded the state legislature for taking action to strengthen teen driver laws and save lives on the highway.  House Bill 9, sponsored by Representative Kathy Watson, limits the number of teen passengers in a car operated by a teen driver to one person under the age of 18 for the first 6 months.  Exceptions exist for the driver's immediate family.  The bill expands behind-the-wheel training from 50 to 65 hours and requires that 10 hours include nighttime and inclement weather driving. The bill also requires primary enforcement of seat belts for teens and for booster seats.  

Although teen driver passenger restrictions may put more teen drivers on the road, studies have shown that with a reduced number of young passengers, each of those teen drivers is a safer driver.  In a recent poll of AAA members across the Commonwealth, 96 percent favored teen passenger limitations.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death among 16- to 19-year-olds. "This age group's fatality rate is four times that of adults," said Ted Leonard, Executive Director of the Federation.  "Inexperienced young drivers are prone to peer pressure, inclined to take risks, are distracted by young passengers and tempted to multi-task behind the wheel."  "It's not only teen drivers, but their passengers and other drivers on the road who are at risk," said Leonard.  "That is why we strongly support this bill and urge Governor Corbett to quickly sign it into legislation"

SOURCE Pennsylvania AAA Federation