Rep. Lisa Borowski, D-Newtown Square, is pictured during a recent state budget hearing.

Taking a driver improvement course could allow all Pennsylvania drivers to save up to 10% on their car insurance under legislation being drafted by state Rep. Lisa Borowski.

Borowski, D-Newtown Square, is circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum for legislation she is drafting seeking to expand the 5% car insurance price discount available for drivers over the age of 55 who take a PennDOT-approved driver improvement course to all drivers who complete such a course.

“This policy was enacted to incentivize mature drivers to practice safe driving habits as aging may affect one’s driving abilities,” Borowski wrote in her memorandum. “However, with ever-changing technology in vehicles and increased instances of distracted driving, I believe all Pennsylvania drivers should be incentivized to continually improve their driving habits as studies show that driver safety training can have a significant impact on the safety of our roads.”

Many states offer point reductions or car insurance discounts for senior citizens who pass a According to the National Safety Council, a study of Massachusetts drivers found that in the year after drivers completed an online driver safety training course, traffic violation rates decreased by 71%. The study showed that drivers under 21 years of age achieved a 68% decrease, drivers 21 to 64 years of age achieved a 74% decrease, and drivers over the age of 65 achieved an 85% decrease.

“For this reason, I am introducing legislation to allow drivers of all ages to be eligible for this discount upon the successful completion of a PennDOT-approved driver improvement course, and to increase the amount of the discount from at least five percent to at least ten percent. As more drivers choose to take these driver improvement courses, the safer our roadways will be,” Borowski wrote.

Car insurance has been a topic of discussion in several state legislatures over the past couple of years. New Jersey lawmakers are discussing legislation that would limit the factors insurers use when determining rates – including credit histories, education levels and occupation – while requiring insurers to provide a discount for safe drivers. The discounts could be tied to a vehicle’s information systems that track driving habits as well as actuarial information.

Legislation introduced in Texas would create a state-run car insurance option – though that bill faces significant opposition.