PART III
OPERATION OF VEHICLES
Chapter
31. General Provisions
33. Rules of the Road in General
35. Special Vehicles and Pedestrians
37. Miscellaneous Provisions
38. Driving After Imbibing Alcohol or Utilizing Drugs
Enactment.Part III was added June 17, 1976, P.L.162, No.81, effective July 1, 1977, unless otherwise noted.
CHAPTER 31
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Subchapter
A. Obedience to and Effect of Traffic Laws
B. Traffic-control Devices
C. Fines
Enactment.Chapter 31 was added June 17, 1976, P.L.162, No.81, effective July 1, 1977.
Cross References.Chapter 31 is referred to in section 1614 of this title.
SUBCHAPTER A
OBEDIENCE TO AND EFFECT OF TRAFFIC LAWS
Sec.
3101. Application of part.
3102. Obedience to authorized persons directing traffic.
3103. Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
3104. Persons working on highways.
3105. Drivers of emergency vehicles.
3106. Operators of streetcars.
3107. Drivers in funeral processions.
3108. Drivers of certified escort vehicles.
§ 3101.Application of part.
(a)General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the provisions of this part relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways except where a different place is specifically referred to in a particular provision.
(b)Serious traffic offenses.--The provisions of section 3345 (relating to meeting or overtaking school bus), Subchapter B of Chapter 37 (relating to serious traffic offenses) and Chapter 38 (relating to driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs) shall apply upon highways and trafficways throughout this Commonwealth.
(Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1126, No.151, eff. 60 days; Sept. 30, 2003, P.L.120, No.24, eff. Feb. 1, 2004)
2003 Amendment.Act 24 amended subsec. (b).
Cross References.Section 3101 is referred to in section 3808 of this title.
§ 3102. Obedience to authorized persons directing traffic.
No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of:
(1) any uniformed police officer, sheriff or constable or, in an emergency, a railroad or street railway police officer;
(2) any appropriately attired person, including an agent or employee of the funeral director during a funeral, authorized to direct, control or regulate traffic;
(3) any employee who has been trained in traffic control by a licensed and insured private security company and who is acting in the scope of employment; or
(4) any driver of a certified escort vehicle as defined under section 3108 (relating to drivers of certified escort vehicles) and who is acting in the capacity as a driver of a certified escort vehicle.
(Aug. 5, 1991, P.L.238, No.26, eff. imd.; Dec. 22, 1993, P.L.561, No.81, eff. 60 days; June 26, 2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days; Oct. 30, 2015, P.L.216, No.55, eff. 60 days)
Cross References.Section 3102 is referred to in sections 1535, 3108, 3326, 3327 of this title.
§ 3103.Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
(a)General rule.--Every person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this part, except those provisions of this part which by their very nature can have no application or where specifically provided otherwise.
(b)Limited access highways.--No person shall ride an animal or drive any animal-drawn vehicle upon a limited access highway.
§ 3104. Persons working on highways.
Unless specifically made applicable, the provisions of this part, except those contained in Subchapter B of Chapter 37 (relating to serious traffic offenses), shall not apply to persons, motor vehicles, and equipment while actually engaged in work upon a highway but shall apply to such persons and vehicles when traveling to or from such work.
§ 3105. Drivers of emergency vehicles.
(a) General rule.--The driver of an emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm or other emergency call, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions stated in this section.
(b) Exercise of special privileges.--The driver of an emergency vehicle may:
(1) Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this part.
(2) Proceed past a red signal indication or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation, except as provided in subsection (d).
(3) Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property, except as provided in subsection (d).
(4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement, overtaking vehicles or turning in specified directions.
(c) Audible and visual signals required.--The privileges granted in this section to an emergency vehicle shall apply only when the vehicle is making use of an audible signal and visual signals meeting the requirements and standards set forth in regulations adopted by the department.
(d) Ambulances, blood delivery vehicles and human organ delivery vehicles.--The driver of an ambulance, blood delivery vehicle or human organ delivery vehicle shall comply with maximum speed limits, red signal indications and stop signs. After ascertaining that the ambulance, blood delivery vehicle or human organ delivery vehicle will be given the right-of-way, the driver may proceed through a red signal indication or stop sign.
(d.1) Vehicles owned and operated by a county correctional institution in a city of the first class.--The driver of a vehicle that is owned and operated by a county correctional institution in a city of the first class and used to respond to an emergency at a correctional institution in a city of the first class or to escort an ambulance which is transporting a sick or injured prisoner in a city of the first class shall comply with maximum speed limits, red signal indications and stop signs. After ascertaining that the vehicle will be given the right-of-way, the driver may proceed through a red signal indication or stop sign.
(e) Exercise of care.--This section does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.
(f) Pedalcycles.--No part of this section shall be construed to restrict the operation of a pedalcycle used by a police officer or a bike medic during the course of performing official duties.
(g) Emergency vehicle preemption devices.--
(1) The department may promulgate regulations for the operation and use of preemptive traffic devices by emergency vehicles.
(2) An individual other than authorized emergency personnel who operates or uses a preemptive traffic device commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(3) The possession of a preemptive traffic device by an individual who is not an authorized user of the device is prohibited. The device if in the possession of a nonauthorized user shall be deemed contraband and shall be seized by a law enforcement officer.
(h) Limitations relating to school buses.--Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b)(4), the driver of an emergency vehicle shall come to a complete stop when a school bus flashes its red signal lights and activates its side stop signal arms. After stopping, the driver of the emergency vehicle may pass the school bus only after exercising due diligence and caution for the safety of the students in a manner that will not risk the safety of the students.
(i) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "bike medic" means an individual who:
(1) operates a pedalcycle and is certified by the Department of Health as an emergency medical services provider;
(2) is a member of an emergency medical services agency licensed by the Department of Health and operating within the scope of practice of an emergency medical services provider, as applicable;
(3) has successfully completed a basic emergency medical services cycling program approved by the Department of Health;
(4) wears emergency first responder appropriate attire for operating upon the highways in accordance with national standards; and
(5) makes use of an appropriate visual and audible warning device in the performance of official duties.
(May 9, 1986, P.L.158, No.51, eff. 60 days; Dec. 15, 1995, P.L.655, No.72, eff. 60 days; June 26, 2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days; July 15, 2004, P.L.694, No.75, eff. 60 days; June 17, 2016, P.L.338, No.44, eff. 60 days; July 8, 2016, P.L.477, No.75, eff. 60 days)
2016 Amendments.Act 44 amended subsec. (f) and added subsec. (i) and Act 75 added subsec. (d.2).
2004 Amendment.Act 75 added subsec. (h).
Cross References.Section 3105 is referred to in section 6342 of this title; section 901 of Title 30 (Fish); section 901 of Title 34 (Game).
§ 3106. Operators of streetcars.
Every operator of a streetcar upon any roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this title except those provisions which by their nature can have no application.
§ 3107. Drivers in funeral processions.
(a) General rule.--The driver of a vehicle which is being driven in a funeral procession may:
(1) Park or stand irrespective of the provisions of this part.
(2) Proceed past a red signal indication or stop sign if the lead vehicle in the procession started through the intersection while the signal indicator was green or, in the case of a stop sign, the lead vehicle first came to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection.
(b) Visual signals required.--The privileges granted by this section shall apply only if each vehicle in the funeral procession displays lighted head lamps and emergency flashers and bears a flag or other insignia designating it as part of a funeral procession.
(b.1) Visual signals authorized.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this title to the contrary, a funeral director or the director's representative may display flashing or revolving purple lights on any funeral processional vehicle which is being driven in a funeral procession.
(c) Right-of-way to emergency vehicles.--This section does not relieve the driver of a vehicle which is being driven in a funeral procession from yielding the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals, nor from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.
(Aug. 5, 1991, P.L.238, No.26, eff. imd.; June 26, 2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days; July 5, 2012, P.L.934, No.99, eff. 60 days)
2012 Amendment.Act 99 added subsec. (b.1).
2001 Amendment.Act 75 amended subsec. (c).
1991 Amendment.Act 26 added section 3107.
§ 3108. Drivers of certified escort vehicles.
(a) General rule.--The driver of a certified escort vehicle that is being operated to escort a super load must be certified and licensed by the department and wear attire that complies with 67 Pa. Code § 101.3(5) (relating to minimum attire).
(b) Criteria to be established.--Within one year of the effective date of this section, the department shall establish criteria for certified escort vehicles and for determining certification and licensing of drivers of certified escort vehicles within this Commonwealth and shall post the criteria on the department's publicly accessible Internet website.
(c) Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Certified escort vehicle."A vehicle that is operated to escort a super load on a highway of this Commonwealth.
"Super load."A vehicle or combination or load having a gross weight exceeding 201,000 pounds, a total length exceeding 160 feet or a total width exceeding 16 feet. The term does not include any of the following:
(1) A building under 67 Pa. Code § 179.11 (relating to special vehicle-load restrictions).
(2) A vehicle or combination moved across the highway under section 4965 (relating to single permits for multiple highway crossings) or 4966 (relating to permit for movement of quarry equipment).
(3) A drag line moved across a highway under permit.
(Oct. 30, 2015, P.L.216, No.55, eff. 60 days)
2015 Amendment.Act 55 added section 3108.
Cross References.Section 3108 is referred to in sections 3102, 4573, 4901, 4962 of this title.
SUBCHAPTER B
TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
Sec.
3111. Obedience to traffic-control devices.
3111.1. Obedience to traffic-control devices warning of hazardous conditions.
3112. Traffic-control signals.
3113. Pedestrian-control signals.
3114. Flashing signals.
3115. Lane-direction-control signals.
3116. Automated red light enforcement systems in first class cities.
3117. Automated red light enforcement systems in certain municipalities.
Cross References.Subchapter B is referred to in section 3344 of this title.
§ 3111. Obedience to traffic-control devices.
(a) General rule.--Unless otherwise directed by a uniformed police officer or any appropriately attired person authorized to direct, control or regulate traffic, the driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any applicable official traffic-control device placed or held in accordance with the provisions of this title, subject to the privileges granted the driver of an emergency vehicle in this title.
(a.1) Penalty.--
(1) A person who violates this section commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of $150. No costs or surcharges imposed under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1725.1 (relating to costs) or section 6506 (relating to surcharge) shall be assessed or imposed upon a conviction under this section.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including 42 Pa.C.S. § 3733(a) (relating to deposits into account), the fine collected under paragraph (1) shall be deposited as follows:
(i) Twenty-five dollars of the fine shall be deposited as provided under 42 Pa.C.S. § 3733(a).
(ii) After deposit of the amount under subparagraph (i), the remaining portion of the fine shall be deposited into the Public Transportation Trust Fund.
(b) Proper position and legibility of device.--No provision of this title for which official traffic-control devices are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that official traffic-control devices are required, the section shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place.
(c) Presumption of authorized placement.--Whenever official traffic-control devices are placed or held in position approximately conforming to the requirements of this title, the devices shall be presumed to have been so placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.
(d) Presumption of proper devices.--Any official traffic-control device placed or held pursuant to the provisions of this title and purporting to conform to the lawful requirements pertaining to such devices shall be presumed to comply with the requirements of this title, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.
(June 26, 2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days; Nov. 25, 2013, P.L.974, No.89, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Dec. 23, 2013, P.L.1251, No.126, eff. imd.)
2013 Amendments.Act 89 added subsec. (a.1) and Act 126 amended subsec. (a.1). See the preamble to Act 89 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to legislative findings and declarations.
2001 Amendment.Act 75 amended subsec. (a).
Cross References.Section 3111 is referred to in sections 3326, 3327 of this title; section 1506 of Title 74 (Transportation).
§ 3111.1. Obedience to traffic-control devices warning of hazardous conditions.
(a) General rule.--The driver of any vehicle, unless otherwise directed by an emergency service responder, shall not drive past, around or through a sign or traffic-control device closing a road or highway due to an existing or potentially hazardous condition.
(b) Penalty.--Any person violating this section commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of not more than $250 unless the violation results in the utilization of the services of a first responder or emergency medical or rescue personnel, including towing services, in which case the fine shall be increased to not less than $250 nor more than $500.
(c) Emergency response costs.--A person convicted of violating this section shall, in addition to any other sentence imposed or restitution ordered under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(c) (relating to sentencing generally), be sentenced to pay restitution in an amount equal to the cost of fire and police response and emergency medical service or emergency preparedness response resulting from the offense.
(July 5, 2012, P.L.1003, No.114, eff. 60 days)
2012 Amendment.Act 114 added section 3111.1.
Cross References.Section 3111.1 is referred to in section 1535 of this title.
§ 3112. Traffic-control signals.
(a) General rule.--Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and the lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
(1) Green indication.--
(i) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn except that vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited.
(ii) Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(iii) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in section 3113 (relating to pedestrian-control signals), pedestrians facing any green signal may proceed across the roadway within a crosswalk.
(2) Steady yellow indication.--
(i) Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green indication is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter.
(ii) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in section 3113, pedestrians facing a steady yellow signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway.
(3) Steady red indication.--
(i) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, or if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in subparagraph (ii).
(ii) Unless signing is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal may enter the intersection to turn right, or to turn left from a one-way highway onto a one-way highway after stopping as required by subparagraph (i). Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(iii) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in section 3113, pedestrians facing a steady red signal alone shall not enter the roadway.
(b) Places other than intersections.--In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.