Pennsylvania § 4571 - Visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles.

§ 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.

(1.1) Nothing contained in the regulations under paragraph (1) may be construed to require a limit, modification or change of the lighting in police, sheriff and fire vehicles legally complying with regulations as of the date of enactment of this paragraph as long as the vehicle is used as an emergency vehicle.

(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.

(3) The department may not prohibit the use of flashing or revolving lights mounted internally in the passenger compartment of fire department vehicles or privately owned vehicles used in answering an emergency call when used by a fire police captain, fire police lieutenant, fire chief, assistant chief and, when a fire company has three or more fire vehicles, a second or third assistant chief that comply with the department's regulations.

(3.1) Police and sheriff vehicles may be equipped with flashing red and blue lights in reverse lamp assemblies.

(3.2) Emergency vehicles, other than police vehicles, may be equipped with flashing red lights in reverse lamp assemblies.

(4) On an annual basis, but no later than April 1 of each year, the State Fire Commissioner may recommend to the department any changes or challenges to the emerging technology of the flashing or revolving lights mounted internally or externally in privately owned vehicles of volunteer firefighters when used in answering an emergency call. The department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police, shall review the recommendations and may promulgate any necessary regulations on the use, type and installation of the emerging technology.

(b.2) Police officer special emergency response team members.--A privately owned vehicle used in responding to an emergency under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8953 (relating to Statewide municipal police jurisdiction) by a police officer who is also a member of a county or regional special emergency response team shall be equipped with revolving or flashing red lights and an audible warning system in accordance with subsection (a) subject to the lights and audible warning system being returned to the head of the special emergency response team upon termination of a person's active status as a police officer or active member of a special emergency response team.

(c) Game Commission vehicles.--(Repealed).

(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.--Except as provided under subsections (b.1)(1.1) and (b.2), 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; July 8, 2016, P.L.477, No.75, eff. imd.; Oct. 19, 2018, P.L.547, No.83, eff. 60 days)

2018 Amendment. Act 83 amended subsecs. (b.1)(3) and (f) and added subsecs. (b.1)(3.1), (3.2) and (b.2).

2016 Amendment. Act 75 amended subsec. (f) and added subsec. (b.1)(1.1), (3) and (4).

Cross References. Section 4571 is referred to in sections 1302, 4107, 4306 of this title.