(File Photo: Source for Photo: This image provided by the Utah Highway Patrol shows a multi-vehicle, multi-fatality crash on US-6 near Price, Utah, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (Utah Highway Patrol via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) State Senator Nick Miller (D-14) will introduce legislation to improve safety by incorporating ATVs and dirt bikes into the existing laws concerning evading police and reckless driving. Miller previously introduced similar legislation in the 2023-2024 session called Senate Bill 834. It will focus on urban areas while honoring local rules, permitting the use of ATVs on designated rural roads. This legislation strengthens the penalties for repeat offenders and addresses the growing group mentality that often drives riding behavior that is dangerous.  It builds on Act 92 of 2022, which is a bipartisan initiative passed by the General Assembly. This bill aims to improve public safety by reducing the improper use of motorbikes and ATVs on busy streets. It was prompted by an incident in July of 2022 on Interstate 78, where 40 vehicles were racing, leading to a multi-vehicle crash. In addition, an unmarked state attorney general’s office car, responding to transport an injured Allentown police detective in South Whitehall Township, was obstructed by dirt bike and ATV riders, despite its lights and sirens being activated.