PennsylvaniaDrivers would use two safety chains with certain towing hitches
Drivers using certain hitches to tow another vehicle would need two crossed safety chains or cables, strong enough to keep the tow bar off the road if it fails.
What it does
The text would require two crossed safety chains or cables for vehicles joined by certain hitches, with enough strength and slack to keep the tow bar from dropping while allowing turns.
Argument forCrossed, strong safety chains could help keep a tow bar from hitting the road if it breaks or comes loose.
Argument againstThe two-chain setup and tight slack limit could make towing harder for drivers whose equipment does not meet those rules.
More detail
Drivers would have to connect the vehicles with two safety chains or cables. This covers drivers towing another vehicle with either of the specified hitch types. The rule applies when two vehicles are joined by a ball-and-socket hitch or by a pintle hook without a locking device. Both chains or cables must be the same length and strong enough to bear at least the combined weight of the towed vehicles. They must cross between the vehicles and attach to the tow bar so it cannot drop to the road if it breaks or comes loose. The chains or cables may have only enough slack to allow proper turns. The act would take effect in 60 days.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 22Act No. 62 of 2026Latest
- Oct 22Approved by the Governor Josh ShapiroBecame Law
- Oct 20Presented to the GovernorTo Governor
- Oct 19Signed in Senate
- Oct 7Signed in House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded MOTION TO TABLE CAPPELLETTI AMENDMENT NO. A-4581. Result: pass.Upper
- Oct 7Third consideration and final passagePassed Senate
- Oct 5Re-reported as committedMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-Reported as Committed. Result: pass.Upper
- Oct 5Re-referred to AppropriationsMinor
- Oct 5Second considerationMinor
- Sep 30First considerationMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Transportation): Reported as Committed. Result: pass.Upper
- Sep 30Reported as committedMinor
- Jun 18Referred to TransportationMinor
- Jun 15Third consideration and final passagePassed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-report Bill As Committed. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 15Re-reported as committedMinor
- Jun 10Re-committed to AppropriationsMinor
- Jun 10Second considerationMinor
- Jun 9Removed from table
- 2025
- Sep 10Laid on the table
- Sep 10Re-reported as committedMinor
- Jun 9Re-committed to RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Transportation): Report Bill As Committed. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 9First considerationMinor
- Jun 9Reported as committedMinor
- Jan 14Referred to TransportationIntroduced
TransportationPublic Safety