In a 2010 report issued by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, it was reported that Pennsylvania ranked as one of the worst states with regard to driver safety. The grading system, based upon the colors of a traffic light, placed Pennsylvania in the red. States were graded according to their enactment and implementation of 15 laws which the group deems as vital in preventing highway deaths and injuries. At the time, Pennsylvania had enacted only 6 ½ of the 15 laws; among those not enacted include a law banning texting while driving, as well as stricter use of ignition interlock devices for people convicted of drunken driving. In addition, the report criticized Pennsylvania for failing to make the state’s seat belt law and the child booster seat law primary offenses. This disallows police from pulling over drivers for violating such seat belt laws, making them virtually unenforceable.
