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Pa. Lawmakers Presses for Strong Oversight of Teen Drivers

by KYW's Tony Romeo

The chairman of the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee says he will ask the House to reject a watered-down teen driving bill and set up a conference committee to find a compromise with the state Senate.The state House earlier this year passed a bill that placed tighter regulations on junior drivers. That includes making the use of handheld cell phones while driving a primary offense.

But the Senate weakened the provisions of the House bill, and that includes making the use of handheld cell phones a secondary offense.

Joe Markosek (D-Allegheny County, right), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, believes public opinion is on his side:

"Many people in my district were very upset with what the Senate did and approached me and said they can't believe that the Senate would water that down. In fact, most people thought it even should be tougher than what we sent over there."

But Markosek acknowledges that creating a conference committee to hammer out differences will likely postpone a resolution until fall.

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