HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law a bill sponsored by Rep. Tim Hennessey of Chester & Montgomery Counties to prevent dangerous driving and improve highway safety. House Bill 1958 will require PennDOT to create a mandatory driver improvement program for drivers who accumulate six points or more on their licenses. PA’s Motor Vehicle Code currently has an optional driver training provision, but it has never been instituted by PennDOT. The new law makes it mandatory. Mandatory driver retraining programs in other states have been successful in improving the driving skills of chronic offenders and reducing their rates of recidivism. The program would also be required when a driver is convicted of exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 miles per hour. PennDOT will now develop a program that will become effective in 14 months.

REP. TIM HENNESSEY