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Pa. to ban cell phone use while driving and require police to collect traffic stop data

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3 weeks ago

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Pa. to ban cell phone use while driving and require police to collect traffic stop data


Crashes where a distracted driver was a contributing factor are down in Pennsylvania in the past decade, as crashes overall have declined, according to state data.

In some years, it was the second-leading cause of accidents. In 2022, it was the third-leading cause. That was behind speed and improper turning, but ahead of drinking alcohol, careless passing and tailgating.

Twenty-eight states already ban cell phone use while driving, according information from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Meanwhile, at least 23 states have laws on collecting data on traffic stops, the group said.

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Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, the chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, said caucus members were concerned that police could abuse a broad new power to pull over motorists and target racial minorities.

Collecting traffic stop data is important for accountability, Nelson said.

“I think this will be a significant win for transparency and help to continue building trust between community members and those who are sworn to serve and protect,” Nelson said in an interview.

Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Philadelphia, who worked for several years to get the provision into law, called it a “big step for Pennsylvania.” The Pennsylvania State Police recently began voluntarily collecting and reporting traffic stop data and some municipal police departments do as well, Bullock said.

But the methods of individual departments aren’t uniform, like they will be under the new law, Bullock said.

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Data released last year by the state police and analyzed by the National Policing Institute showed no disparities between racial and ethnic groups for warnings, citations or arrests. But troopers were more than twice more likely to search Black and Hispanic drivers than white drivers, the report showed.

Under the forthcoming law, data that police must report includes the reason for the stop, details from a search of the vehicle and the race, ethnicity, age and gender of the driver who was stopped. Police forces that serve municipalities under 5,000 people are exempt from the requirement.

The data collection requirement takes effect in a year and a half. After the cell phone ban takes effect, drivers get a grace period of another year in which they only receive a written warning for violating it.



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Pennsylvania

Women Attack Man On I-476 In Delco: State Police

Published

5 hours ago

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June 3, 2024

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Women Attack Man On I-476 In Delco: State Police


HAVERTOWN, PA — A Havertown man was attacked while on Interstate 476 Saturday, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Troopers were called to Exit 9 on Interstate 476 south in the Marple Township area at about 4 p.m. Saturday for a report of a fight.

There, troopers learned the victim, a 27-year-old man from Havertown, was attacked by two women.

Find out what’s happening in Haverford-Havertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to state police, the women, who were described as black and non-Hispanic, threw rocks at the man and struck him in the face.

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They drove off in a black Nissan Altima, heading in an unknown direction on Route 3, police said.

Find out what’s happening in Haverford-Havertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anyone who has information on the incident is asked to contact Trooper Nicholas Gustaitis with the Pennsylvania State Police Media Barracks at 484-840-1000.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.



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Pennsylvania

Barricade Situation Resolved Peacefully In Upper Makefield

Published

12 hours ago

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June 3, 2024

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Barricade Situation Resolved Peacefully In Upper Makefield


UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA — A barricade situation ended peacefully early Sunday evening following a five-hour standoff with police.

The incident unfolded at 1:15 p.m. in the 400 block of Brownsburg Road West when the Upper Makefield Police Department assisted another agency in serving an involuntary commitment order on an individual.

After officers spoke with the person, the person barricaded themselves in a bedroom and was reportedly armed with a gun, police said.

Find out what’s happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In evaluating the circumstances, police said it was decided to activate the Central Bucks Special Response Team to assist in bringing the incident to a peaceful resolution.

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A shelter-in-place for the area was also ordered out of an abundance of caution. During the incident, police said the situation was contained only to the residence.

Find out what’s happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police reported that negotiators with the response team spoke with the individual by phone for approximately two hours and were able to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the incident.

There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident. And police said the subject would be receiving mental health treatment.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.



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PA Invests Nearly $10 Million to Improve 10 Pennsylvania Airports – PennWatch

Published

19 hours ago

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June 2, 2024

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PA Invests Nearly $10 Million to Improve 10 Pennsylvania Airports – PennWatch


The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced a nearly $10 million state investment in projects at 10 public use airports for facility improvements, infrastructure preservation, and development. Supporting safe, reliable infrastructure while growing the Commonwealth’s economy is a key priority for the Shapiro administration.

Pennsylvania’s robust aviation industry employs over 226,000 people, provides nearly $12.5 billion in payroll and employment benefits, and has a $34 billion annual economic impact. In addition to providing travel options, airports also facilitate services such as air cargo and freight, police and law enforcement, emergency medical services, firefighting, and disaster and emergency response.

“Pennsylvania’s aviation industry provides good-paying jobs while linking communities to a larger transportation system that moves goods and people around the world,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.

The funds will support the following projects:

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Allegheny County:

  • Allegheny County Airport – $750,000 of state funds to repair and upgrade existing hangars.

Bedford County:

  • Bedford County Airport – $100,000 of state funds to repair an existing hangar floor.

 Berks County:

  • Reading Regional/Carl A. Spaatz Field Airport – $1.5 million of state funds to construct a hangar and office building for the fixed based operator at the airport.

 Bucks County:

  • Quakertown County Airport – $225,000 of state funds to repave and reseal the aprons and taxilanes.  
  • Doylestown Airport – $225,000 of state funds to repave and reseal aprons around T-hangars.  

 Cambria County:

  • John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport – $1.1 million of state funds for the site preparation for a new hangar at the airport.

 Lancaster County:

  • Lancaster Airport – $2 million of state funds to design and prepare the site for the construction of a new corporate hangar.

 Northampton County:

  • Braden Airpark – $975,000 of state funds to replace approach runway lighting and edge lighting.

 Schuylkill County:

  • Schuylkill County/Joe Zerby Airport – $700,000 of state funds to repair and upgrade the terminal building along with adding an office for a flight school.

 Westmoreland County:

  • Arnold Palmer Regional Airport – $2.4 million in state funds to expand the terminal and upgrade the Transportation Security Administration screening area.

The projects will be funded by the state Capital Budget through the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, which is supported by bonds.



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