title 75 (ch 43) Flashcards
Periods for requiring lighted lamps.
§ 4302.
(a) General rule.–The operator of a vehicle upon a highway shall display the lighted head lamps and other lamps and illuminating devices required under this chapter for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles, at the following times:
(1) Between sunset and sunrise.
(2) Any time when the operator cannot discern a person or vehicle upon the highway from a distance of 1,000 feet due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, smoke or smog.
(3) Any time when the vehicle’s windshield wipers are in continuous or intermittent use due to precipitation or atmospheric moisture, including rain, snow, sleet or mist.
(b) Signal lights.–Stop lights, turn signals and other signaling devices shall be lighted as prescribed in this title.
(c) Applicability.–This section shall not apply to motorcycles.
General lighting requirements.
§ 4303.
(a) Head lamps.–Every vehicle, except trailers, operated on a highway shall be equipped with a head lamp system in conformance with regulations of the department. The regulations shall not prohibit a bus from being equipped with devices used to carry pedalcycles on the front of the bus.
(b) Rear lighting.–Every vehicle operated on a highway shall be equipped with a rear lighting system including, but not limited to, rear lamps, rear reflectors, stop lamps and license plate light, in conformance with regulations of the department. If a vehicle is equipped with a centrally mounted rear stop light, a decal or overlay may be affixed to the centrally mounted rear stop light if the decal or overlay meets all applicable State and Federal regulations.
(c) Turn signals and hazard warning lights.–Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles and pedalcycles, and every trailer operated on a highway shall be equipped with a system of turn signal lights and hazard warning lights in conformance with regulations of the department.
(d) Identification, clearance and side marker lights.–Every motor vehicle, trailer and combination operated on a highway shall be equipped with a system of lights which may include retroreflective reflectors, identification, clearance and side marker lights in conformance with regulations of the department.
(e) Equipment exempted by regulation.–Antique motor vehicles, animal-drawn vehicles, implements of husbandry, commercial implements of husbandry and special mobile equipment, if operated exclusively between the hours of sunrise and sunset and not during periods of reduced visibility or insufficient illumination, may be exempted from certain lighting equipment requirements of this part by regulations of the department.
(f) Off-road lighting.–Off-road lighting lamps may be mounted on the roof or roll bar of a vehicle and shall be covered with an opaque covering that prohibits any light from being emitted when the vehicle is being operated on a highway or trafficway. Any person who illuminates an off-road lighting lamp while the vehicle is being operated on a highway or a trafficway commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $100.
(g) Snow plow lamps.–Snow plow lamps shall be installed as follows:
(1) Snow plow lamps shall be wired through a double throw switch so that both sets of lights will not operate at the same time.
(2) Snow plow lamps shall be aimed so that the high intensity beam does not project to left of extreme left side of vehicle nor higher than center of lamp at a distance of 25 feet in front of vehicle. In no case shall the high intensity portion of the beam be higher than 42 inches above level surface at a distance of 75 feet ahead. The lamps shall be spaced at a distance not less than 20 inches apart and shall be symmetrically located on each side of the vehicle centerline.
(3) Fog lamps, if installed on a vehicle equipped with snow plow lamps, may be substituted for snow plow lamps anytime when, due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, smoke or smog, persons or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible to the operator for a distance of 1,000 feet ahead. Fog lamps that are used in lieu of snow plow lamps shall meet the same aiming requirements as snow plow lamps.
Obstructed lights not required.
§ 4304.
Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any lamp (except a tail lamp) need not be lighted which, by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination, is obscured by another vehicle of the combination, but this does not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lamps be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lamps, nor that all lights required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted.
Vehicular hazard signal lamps.
§ 4305
(a) General rule.–Simultaneous flashing of the two front and two rear signal lamps shall indicate a vehicular traffic hazard. The driver of a motor vehicle equipped with simultaneous flashing signals shall use the signals when the vehicle is stopped or disabled on a highway, except when the vehicle is stopped in compliance with a traffic-control device or when legally parked. Drivers of other vehicles shall exercise extraordinary care in approaching, overtaking and passing a vehicle displaying vehicular hazard warning signals.
(b) Use outside business and residence districts.–Outside of a business or residence district:
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle or combination equipped with simultaneous flashing signals shall use the signals when the vehicle is unable to maintain a speed of at least 25 miles per hour because of weather, grade or other similar factors or is unable to maintain a speed consistent with the normal flow of traffic.
(2) The driver of a bus equipped with simultaneous flashing signals shall use the signals when the bus is stopped with one or more wheels on the roadway between dusk and dawn for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers.
(c) Use below minimum speed limit.–The driver of a motor vehicle or combination equipped with simultaneous flashing signals shall use the signals when the vehicle is not maintaining at least the minimum speed established in accordance with the provisions of section 3364 (relating to minimum speed regulation).
Use of multiple-beam road lighting equipment.
§ 4306
(a) Approaching an oncoming vehicle.–Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, the driver shall use the low beam of light.
(b) Approaching a vehicle from rear.–Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches another vehicle from the rear within 300 feet, the driver shall use the low beam of light.
(c) Exception.–
(1) An emergency vehicle which is equipped with a flashing headlamp system that conforms to regulations promulgated by the department shall be exempt from the provisions of this section only when the vehicle is being used pursuant to the provisions of section 4571(e) (relating to visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles).
(2) Nothing in this section shall limit drivers from flashing high beams at oncoming vehicles as a warning of roadway emergencies or other dangerous or hazardous conditions ahead.
Use and display of illuminated signs
§ 4307.
(a) General rule.–Except as otherwise provided in this section, no vehicle shall bear or display any illuminated signs, letters, numerals or figures of any kind whatsoever.
(b) Buses.–A bus or school bus may bear an illuminated sign stating its use or destination.
(c) Taxicabs.–A taxicab may carry on the rear or the top of the vehicle illuminated signs placed so as not to interfere with the vision of the driver through the rear window of the vehicle. The size and placement of the sign must receive approval of the department or be a type approved by the department prior to use on the vehicle.
(c.1) Transportation network company driver.–Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, but subject to 53 Pa.C.S. § 57A01 (relating to definitions), a Transportation Network Company Driver may display an illuminated sign provided by a Transportation Network Company within the interior of his or her vehicle so long as such sign is approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or the Philadelphia Parking Authority, as applicable. The Transportation Network Company shall file the illuminated sign with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for review and approval. If the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission does not approve the illuminated sign, the Philadelphia Parking Authority may approve the illuminated sign within their jurisdiction, after the Transportation Network Company files the illuminated sign with the Philadelphia Parking Authority for review and approval. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the Philadelphia Parking Authority shall each have 15 business days to review the illuminated sign, as applicable.
(d) Trucks and truck tractors.–A truck or truck tractor may carry on the top of the cab roof an illuminated sign placed so as not to interfere with the vision of the driver through the windshield of the vehicle. Illuminated signs so placed shall be of a size and type designed not to interfere with or unduly distract the drivers of other vehicles on the highway. The type, size and placement of the sign must receive approval of the department or be a type approved by the department prior to use on the vehicle.
(e) Implements of husbandry.–An implement of husbandry or vehicle used exclusively for highly perishable crops for processing, operating between sunset and sunrise, shall have two rotating yellow beacons and four-way flashers operating.
(f) Food delivery vehicle.–A food delivery vehicle may display an illuminated sign which shall be of a department-approved size and type designed not to interfere with or unduly distract the drivers of other vehicles on the highway. The department shall promulgate regulations setting forth the size, type and placement of signs approved for use under this subsection.
(f.1) Illuminated decal.–A vehicle may display a single illuminated decal in the corner of the rear window so as not to interfere with the driver or unduly distract a driver of another vehicle upon the highway or trafficway.
(g) Definitions.–As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Food delivery vehicle.” A vehicle engaged in the transportation or conveyance of food products or items from their place of origin or production to a place of delivery. The vehicle may make intermittent stops that are customary in the routine conduct of the business for which the transportation occurs.
“Illuminated decal.” A battery-powered device measuring no greater than six inches in width and six inches in height with an illumination source not designed to project light beyond the vehicle, but only to provide backlighting for a graphic.
Lighted head lamps in work zones
§ 4309
(b) Penalty.–A person who fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $25. No person shall be convicted of a violation of subsection (a) unless the person is also convicted of another violation of this title which occurred at the same time. No costs as described in 42 Pa.C.S. § 1725.1 (relating to costs) shall be imposed for summary conviction of subsection (a). Conviction under this subsection shall not constitute a moving violation.
