Pennsylvania's Dept. of Transportation (also known as PennDOT) finalized changes to its driver record-check system, which will make accident information accessible by school districts hiring drivers, the Delaware County Daily Times reported.
The push for more-stringent checks of driver records was a direct response to a Feb. 17 incident where school bus driver Frederick Poust III hit and killed another motorist. He was hired by the district despite a 1999 incident where he struck and killed another motorist while distracted by his mobile phone.
While bans on handheld cell phone use and text messaging by motorists have been implemented in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, currently there is no similar law at the statewide level, according to HandsfreeInfo.com. A bill is being considered by lawmakers, who disagree on the details.
A Philadelphia DUI lawyer could better explain how distracted driving charges differ from DUI charges; but as sources in a New York Times article insist, distracted driving often is just as dangerous as drunk driving.
State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153, who pushed for better access to driving records of prospective school bus drivers, said he called PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler immediately after learning about Frederick Poust's accident to help change the state agency's policy:
"Without this information, it is virtually impossible for a school district to effectively assess any application to hire qualified men and women to drive our children to school each and every day."
As explained by Pennsylvania Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161, the new changes will provide school bus companies with better information on prospective new hires. Employers will be provided with a complete driving record of each applicant; before the changes, employers only had access to the past 10 years, which is why Frederick Poust slipped through the cracks.
Related Resources:
-
Distracted Driving (FindLaw)
-
Contact a Philadelphia DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
-
Pennsylvania Considers Action Against Cell Phone Use on the Road (FindLaw KnowledgeBase)
ShareThis
