Rules of the Road

Steer Clear Law:

The 'Steer Clear' law requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle. This law will help prevent injuries and save lives, but only if drivers follow the law and use common sense. A brochure may located at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Web Site.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Law:

3327. Duty of driver in emergency response areas.

(a) GENERAL RULE.-When approaching or passing an emergency response area, a person, unless otherwise directed by an emergency service responder, shall:
(1) pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response area, if possible; or
(2) if passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible, illegal or unsafe, pass the emergency response area at a careful and prudent reduced speed reasonable for safely passing the emergency response area.
(b) PENALTY.-Any person violating subsection (a) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of not more than $250.
(b.1) SUSPENSION OF OPERATING PRIVILEGE.-The department shall suspend the operating privilege of any person for 90 days upon receiving a certified record of the driver's conviction, adjudication of delinquency or admission into a preadjudication program for a violation of subsection (a), if the certified conviction indicates the violation resulted in serious injury to another person. The license shall be surrendered in accordance with section 1540 (relating to surrender of license).
(c) MARKING.-An emergency response area shall be clearly marked with road flares, caution signs or any other traffic-control device which law enforcement officials may have at their immediate disposal or visual signals on vehicles meeting the requirements of subchapter D of Chapter 45 (relating to equipment of authorized and emergency vehicles).
"Emergency response area." The area in which emergency service responders render emergency assistance to individuals on or near a roadway or a police officer is conducting a traffic stop or systematic check of vehicles as long as the emergency vehicle is making use of visual signals meeting the requirements of subchapter D of Chapter 45.
"Emergency service responder." An individual acting in an official capacity as police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, coroner, deputy coroner, firefighter, fire police, fire marshal, medical examiner, deputy medical examiner, rescue personnel, ambulance personnel, towing and recovery personnel, highway maintenance and construction personnel, hazardous material response team member or emergency medical service personnel.
"Serious injury." A personal injury resulting in death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.

Clearing off your vehicle:

In the winter it is important to clear all snow and ice from your vehicle. Not only does it prevent a hazard from snow and ice that may fall from your vehicle, it also provides an unobstructed view.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Law:

3720. Snow and ice dislodged or falling from moving vehicle.

When snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury as defined in section 3742 (relating to accidents involving death or personal injury), the operator of the vehicle from which the snow or ice is dislodged or falls shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.

Your Headlights:

A change in the law recently invoked that when your windshield wipers are on, so should your lights.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Law:

4302. Periods for requiring lighted lamps.
(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.