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Visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles - 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4571

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                               SUBCHAPTER D
                       EQUIPMENT OF AUTHORIZED AND
                            EMERGENCY VEHICLES

     Sec.
     4571.  Visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles.
     4572.  Visual signals on authorized vehicles.
     4573.  Identification of certain vehicles.

        Cross References.  Subchapter D is referred to in section
     3327 of this title.
     § 4571.  Visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles.
        (a)  General rule.--Every emergency vehicle shall be equipped
     with one or more revolving or flashing red lights and an audible
     warning system. Spotlights with adjustable sockets may be
     attached to or mounted on emergency vehicles.
        (b)  Police, sheriff, fire and coroner or medical examiner
     vehicles.--
            (1)  Police, sheriff, coroner, medical examiner or fire
        police vehicles may in addition to the requirements of
        subsection (a) be equipped with one or more revolving or
        flashing blue lights. The combination of red and blue lights
        may be used only on police, sheriff, coroner, medical
        examiner or fire police vehicles.
            (2)  Unmarked police and sheriff vehicles used as
        emergency vehicles and equipped with audible warning systems
        shall be equipped with the lights described in this
        subsection.
        (b.1)  Mounted lights and additional equipment.--
            (1)  Police, sheriff and fire vehicles may be equipped
        with a mounted rack containing one or more emergency warning
        lights or side mounted floodlights or alley lights or all
        such lights in conformance with department regulations.
            (2)  Additional visual or audible warning signal
        equipment, including, but not limited to, flashing headlamp
        system, flashing or revolving white or clear lights, steady
        burning lights, traffic-control emergency directional light
        assembly, amber lights and intersection lights, may be
        utilized on emergency vehicles in accordance with regulations
        promulgated by the department.
        (c.1)  Public Utility Commission vehicles.--Vehicles owned or
     operated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and used
     in the enforcement of 66 Pa.C.S. Chs. 23 (relating to common
     carriers) and 25 (relating to contract carrier by motor vehicle
     and broker) may be equipped with revolving or flashing red
     lights in accordance with subsection (a).
        (d)  Vehicles prohibited from using signals.--Except as
     otherwise specifically provided in this section, no vehicle
     other than an emergency vehicle may be equipped with revolving
     or flashing lights or audible warning systems identical or
     similar to those specified in subsections (a) and (b). A person
     who equips or uses a vehicle with visual or audible warning
     systems in violation of this section commits a summary offense
     and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not
     less than $500 nor more than $1,000.
        (e)  Authorized period of use.--The lights and warning
     systems specified by this section may be used only during an
     emergency, or in the interest of public safety, or by police
     officers, sheriffs and deputy sheriffs in enforcement of the
     law. Unauthorized use of the lights and warning systems
     specified by this section shall be a summary offense punishable
     by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.
        (f)  Conformity with department regulations.--All equipment
     authorized or required by this section shall conform to
     department regulations.
     (Feb. 15, 1980, P.L.12, No.8, eff. imd.; July 10, 1981, P.L.250,
     No.82, eff. imd.; July 9, 1984, P.L.671, No.142, eff. imd.; May
     9, 1986, P.L.158, No.51, eff. 60 days; Dec. 11, 1986, P.L.1530,
     No.166, eff. 60 days; Mar. 13, 1990, P.L.69, No.14, eff. 60
     days; Dec. 18, 1992, P.L.1411, No.174, eff. 60 days; June 26,
     2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days)

        Cross References.  Section 4571 is referred to in sections
     4107, 4306 of this title; section 5704 of Title 18 (Crimes and
     Offenses).

Last modified: November 27, 2007