(a) Bridges and elevated structures.--
(1) No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to the bridge or structure when the structure is posted with signs as provided in this subsection.
(2) The department and local authorities on highways under their respective jurisdictions may conduct a traffic and engineering investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway, and if it shall thereupon find that the structure cannot safely withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under this title, the department or local authority shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles which the structure can safely withstand, and shall cause or permit official traffic-control devices stating the maximum speed to be erected and maintained before each end of the structure.
(3) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this subsection, proof of the determination of the maximum speed by the department and the existence of the signs shall constitute conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to the bridge or structure.
(b) School zones.--When passing through a school zone as defined and established under regulations of the department, no person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour. An official traffic-control device shall indicate the beginning and end of each school zone to traffic approaching in each direction. Establishment of a school zone, including its location and hours of operation, shall be approved by the department.
(c) Hazardous grades.--The department and local authorities on highways under their respective jurisdictions may conduct traffic and engineering investigations on grades which are considered hazardous. If the grade is determined to be hazardous, vehicles having a gross weight in excess of a determined safe weight may be further limited as to maximum speed and may be required to stop before proceeding downhill. The restrictions shall be indicated by official traffic-control devices erected and maintained according to regulations established by the department.
(c.1) Active work zones.--When passing through an active work zone, no person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than the posted limit. An official traffic-control device shall indicate the beginning and end of each active work zone to traffic approaching in each direction.
(d) Penalty.--
(1) Any person violating any provision of this section commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay:
(i) Except as set forth under subparagraph (ii), a fine of $35.
(ii) For a violation of subsection (b), a fine of not more than $500 if the person exceeds the maximum speed limit by more than 11 miles per hour.
(2) Any person exceeding a maximum speed limit established under this section 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 in excess of the maximum speed limit.
(Oct. 10, 1980, P.L.791, No.147, eff. imd.; Dec. 23, 2002, P.L.1982, No.229; Dec. 8, 2004, P.L.1791, No.237, eff. 150 days)
2004 Amendment. Act 237 amended subsec. (d).
2002 Amendment. Act 229 amended subsec. (b) and added subsec. (c.1), effective in 60 days as to subsec. (b) and six months as to the remainder of the section.
Cross References. Section 3365 is referred to in sections 1535, 1603 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