(a) General rule.--Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with section 3361 (relating to driving vehicle at safe speed), the limits specified in this section or established under this subchapter shall be maximum lawful speeds and no person shall drive a vehicle at a speed in excess of the following maximum limits:
(1) 35 miles per hour in any urban district.
(1.1) 65 miles per hour or 70 miles per hour for all vehicles on freeways where the department has posted a 65-miles-per-hour or 70-miles-per-hour speed limit.
(1.2) 25 miles per hour in a residence district if the highway:
(i) is not a numbered traffic route; and
(ii) is functionally classified by the department as a local highway.
(2) 55 miles per hour in other locations.
(3) Any other maximum speed limit established under this subchapter.
(b) Posting of speed limit.--
(1) No maximum speed limit established under subsection (a)(1), (1.2) or (3) shall be effective unless posted on fixed or variable official traffic-control devices erected in accordance with regulations adopted by the department which regulations shall require posting at the beginning and end of each speed zone and at intervals not greater than one-half mile.
(2) No maximum speed limit established under subsection (a)(1.1) shall be effective unless posted on fixed or variable official traffic-control devices erected after each interchange on the portion of highway on which the speed limit is in effect and wherever else the department shall determine.
(c) Penalty.--
(1) Any person violating this section is guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of:
(i) $42.50 for violating a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour or higher; or
(ii) $35 for violating any other maximum speed limit.
(2) Any person exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than five miles per hour shall pay an additional fine of $2 per mile for each mile in excess of five miles per hour over the maximum speed limit.
(June 13, 1995, P.L.57, No.9, eff. 30 days; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1126, No.151, eff. 60 days; June 26, 2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days; Nov. 25, 2013, P.L.974, No.89, eff. imd.; Mar. 19, 2014, P.L.361, No.23, eff. imd.)
2014 Amendment. Act 23 amended subsec. (a)(1.1).
2013 Amendment. Act 89 amended subsecs. (a) and (c). See the preamble to Act 89 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to legislative findings and declarations.
1998 Amendment. Act 151 amended subsec. (b)(1) and added subsec. (a)(1.2).
1995 Amendment. See section 4 of Act 9 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to report on effect of increased speed limit.
Cross References. Section 3362 is referred to in sections 1535, 1538, 3326, 3363, 3370, 3716, 6108, 6109, 6506 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 33 - Rules of the Road in General
Section 3301 - Driving on right side of roadway
Section 3302 - Meeting vehicle proceeding in opposite direction
Section 3303 - Overtaking vehicle on the left
Section 3304 - Overtaking vehicle on the right
Section 3305 - Limitations on overtaking on the left
Section 3306 - Limitations on driving on left side of roadway
Section 3307 - No-passing zones
Section 3308 - One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands
Section 3309 - Driving on roadways laned for traffic
Section 3310 - Following too closely
Section 3311 - Driving on divided highways
Section 3312 - Limited access highway entrances and exits
Section 3313 - Restrictions on use of limited access highways
Section 3314 - Prohibiting use of hearing impairment devices
Section 3315 - Passing and overtaking streetcars
Section 3316 - Prohibiting text-based communications
Section 3317 - Platooning (Repealed)
Section 3321 - Vehicle approaching or entering intersection
Section 3322 - Vehicle turning left
Section 3323 - Stop signs and yield signs
Section 3324 - Vehicle entering or crossing roadway
Section 3325 - Duty of driver on approach of emergency vehicle
Section 3326 - Duty of driver in construction and maintenance areas or on highway safety corridors
Section 3327 - Duty of driver in emergency response areas and in relation to disabled vehicles
Section 3328 - Unmarked police vehicles
Section 3329 - Duty of driver in litter enforcement corridors
Section 3331 - Required position and method of turning
Section 3332 - Limitations on turning around
Section 3333 - Moving stopped or parked vehicle
Section 3334 - Turning movements and required signals
Section 3335 - Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps
Section 3336 - Method of giving hand and arm signals
Section 3341 - Obedience to signal indicating approach of train
Section 3342 - Vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings
Section 3343 - Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings
Section 3344 - Emerging from alley, driveway or building
Section 3345 - Meeting or overtaking school bus
Section 3345.1 - Enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights
Section 3346 - Emergency vehicles entering or leaving official garage
Section 3351 - Stopping, standing and parking outside business and residence districts
Section 3352 - Removal of vehicle by or at direction of police
Section 3353 - Prohibitions in specified places
Section 3354 - Additional parking regulations
Section 3361 - Driving vehicle at safe speed
Section 3362 - Maximum speed limits
Section 3363 - Alteration of maximum limits
Section 3364 - Minimum speed regulation
Section 3365 - Special speed limitations
Section 3366 - Charging speed violations
Section 3367 - Racing on highways
Section 3368 - Speed timing devices
Section 3369 - Automated speed enforcement systems in active work zones
Section 3370 - Pilot program for automated speed enforcement system on designated highway