'Turn Around, Don't Drown' Bill Advances

The House of Representatives this week unanimously approved a bill that would levy fines and points on driver’s licenses for those who ignore barricades during floods.

Introduced by State Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151) of Horsham, following the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, the proposed legislation, dubbed  would penalize motorists who drive through temporary police barricades during and after storms.

During last year, first responders in Hatboro and Horsham put their lives at risk rescuing people who ignored raging floodwaters outside of their homes and, in more instances, barricaded roads. At least six people in Horsham failed to heed Horsham Emergency Management Coordinator Following the storm, he told Patch that six people had to be rescued from their vehicles as the storm pummeled the region.

In Hatboro, firefighters from rescued 15 people, including a at the Woodwinds complex, as well as a man who drove around a barricade in Upper Moreland, became stranded and required a .

“People just don’t understand what the force of the water’s going to do,” Enterprise Fire Company Assistant Fire Chief James Anders III told Patch following the rescues. “Barricades are there for a reason.” 

Upper Dublin Township Manager and first responder Paul Leonard first presented the issue to Stephens, according to a press release issued on behalf of the legislator. Last year, the National Guard was called into Lower Moreland to rescue three emergency responders who had gone into flood waters to rescue others.

“This is a major victory for our first-responders,” Stephens said in the release. “They are the people placed in danger when drivers ignore temporary barricades and need to be rescued in a flood zone.” 

Under Stephens’ bill anyone who requires rescue, towing or medical care if they ignore a barricade would be fined $250 to $500, have to pay the costs of being rescued and have points assessed to their driving record.

Following the House's approval, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.