Pennsylvania § 4572 - Visual signals on authorized vehicles.

§ 4572. Visual signals on authorized vehicles.

(a) Flashing or revolving blue lights.--Ambulance personnel, volunteer firefighters, certified volunteer search and rescue organization members and owners and handlers of dogs used in tracking humans may each equip one motor vehicle with no more than two flashing or revolving blue lights. The following shall apply:

(1) In order to be eligible to display lights on their vehicles under this subsection, the names of the ambulance personnel, volunteer firefighters and certified volunteer search and rescue organization members shall be submitted to the nearest station of the Pennsylvania State Police on a list signed by the chief of the ambulance or fire department or company, the head of the search and rescue organization, and each dog owner and handler shall register at the nearest Pennsylvania State Police station.

(2) The manner in which the lights are displayed and their intensity shall be determined by regulation of the department.

(2.1) Nothing contained in the regulations under paragraph (2) shall be construed to require a limit, modification or change of the lighting in vehicles legally complying with regulations as of the date of enactment of this paragraph as long as the vehicle is used in a manner that otherwise complies with this section.

(3) The lights shall be operable by the driver from inside the vehicle.

(4) The lights may be used only while en route to or at the scene of a fire or emergency call.

(5) The lights shall be removed from the vehicle immediately upon receipt of notice from the chief of the ambulance or fire department or company or the head of the search and rescue organization to remove the lights upon termination of the person's status as an active volunteer firefighter or ambulance person or upon termination of the person's active status as a certified volunteer search and rescue organization member or dog owner or handler, or when the vehicle is no longer used in connection with the person's duties as a volunteer firefighter or ambulance person, certified volunteer search and rescue organization member or dog owner or handler.

(6) This subsection does not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons nor exempt the driver from complying with all provisions of this title.

(7) The department may not prohibit the use of flashing or revolving blue lights mounted internally in the passenger compartment of a privately owned vehicle used in answering an emergency call that otherwise comply with the department's regulations.

(b) Flashing or revolving yellow lights.--Vehicles authorized pursuant to the provisions of sections 6106 (relating to designation of emergency vehicles by Pennsylvania State Police) and 6107 (relating to designation of authorized vehicles by department), tow trucks and vehicles used for snow removal may be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving yellow lights. The manner in which the light or lights shall be displayed and the intensity shall be determined by regulation of the department.

(b.1) Yellow flashing or revolving lights on school vehicles.--School vehicles may be equipped with a permanently affixed or removable yellow flashing or revolving light, as determined by regulation of the department. The light shall only be activated when the vehicle is preparing to stop or is stopped to load and unload students. Nothing under this subsection shall be construed to permit an activity by a driver of a school vehicle prohibited under section 3351 (relating to stopping, standing and parking outside business and residence districts) or 3353 (relating to prohibitions in specified places).

(b.2) Flashing or revolving green lights.--

(1) In addition to flashing or revolving yellow lights, a highway construction and maintenance vehicle may be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving green lights. The manner in which the lights are displayed and their intensity shall be determined by regulation of the department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

(2) In order to facilitate the prompt implementation of this subsection, regulations promulgated by the department under this subsection during the three years following the effective date of this subsection shall be deemed temporary regulations, which shall expire upon the promulgation of final regulations. The temporary regulations shall not be subject to:

(i) Sections 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.769, No.240), referred to as the Commonwealth Documents Law.

(ii) Section 204(b) of the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth Attorneys Act.

(iii) The act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the Regulatory Review Act.

(c) Vehicles prohibited from using lights.--No vehicle other than a duly authorized vehicle may be equipped with lights identical or similar to those specified in this section. A person who equips or uses a vehicle with visual systems in violation of this section commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500.

(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the term "highway construction and maintenance vehicle" means a motor vehicle or device used by a municipality, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the department or their contractors for the maintenance, construction or repair of a highway or bridge. The term includes, but is not limited to, a vehicle or device used for snow removal, traffic-line-painting truck, sign and signal maintenance truck, dump truck, street sweeper, mower, highway inspection vehicle, vehicle used for traffic control and vehicle involved in traffic studies or investigations or right-of-way operations.

(June 26, 2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days; Nov. 29, 2006, P.L.1449, No.159, eff. 60 days; July 8, 2016, P.L.477, No.75, eff. 60 days; Oct. 19, 2018, P.L.547, No.83, eff. 60 days; July 1, 2020, P.L.515, No.38, eff. 60 days; July 17, 2024, P.L.868, No.78, eff. 30 days)

2024 Amendment. Act 78 amended subsec. (c) and added subsecs. (b.2) and (d).

2020 Amendment. Act 38 added subsec. (b.1).

2018 Amendment. Act 83 amended subsec. (a) intro. par. and added subsec. (a)(7).

2016 Amendment. Act 75 added subsec. (a)(2.1).

2006 Amendment. Act 159 amended subsec. (a).

Cross References. Section 4572 is referred to in sections 3327, 4107, 4573 of this title.