Court Opinions

State Laws

US Code

US Constitution

Special speed limitations - 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3365

Legal Research Home > Pennsylvania Statutes

     § 3365.  Special speed limitations.
        (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. See section 21 of Act
     229 in the appendix to this title for special provisions
     relating to promulgation of guidelines to implement Act 229.
        Cross References.  Section 3365 is referred to in sections
     1535, 1603 of this title.

Last modified: November 27, 2007