Hi All :)
About a year ago I purchased a new Brother Innov-is 2000 and I took all this time playing with and getting to know it before I signed up for the class on how to use it. Well today I was driving in to the store in PA where I bought it and as I was driving I came up with some questions like - Can I use my cell phone to make phone calls while driving in this state? (legally, I mean) What about texting? Then I got to thinking about you all and how many of you may not have ever come across horse drawn buggies such as you will most likely see in June. So I came up with this list of helpful information for those of you who are driving - and for anyone who rides with someone who will be driving.
So, for your educational edification I present the following:
Before we start that, here's a link for cellphonelaws from Fluer55 that might be of use to those of you who are driving to retreat. You can look to see what states you will be driving through and any tickets you DON'T get is money saved for shopping!!!
PARKING AREAS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
According to Pennsylvania law, there are two (2) conditions necessary before an individual may legally park in a designated parking area for persons with disabilities:
1. The vehicle being parked must display a disabled person or disabled veteran registration plate/parking placard.
2. The vehicle must be operated by or for the transportation of the disabled person or severely disabled veteran.
Any vehicle unlawfully parked in a parking area for disabled persons may be removed from that area by towing and reclaimed upon payment of the towing costs. This parking violation is a summary offense. Individuals convicted of this offense will be fined between $50 and $200.
SEAT BELT LAW
• All drivers and front seat passengers in vehicles, light trucks and motor homes must wear seat belts.
• If you are transporting passengers age eight (8) or older but less than age 18, they must wear seat belts, no matter where they are riding in the vehicle.
ANTI-LITTERING LAW
It is against the law to drop, throw or deposit upon any highway, upon any other public or private property (without the consent of the owners thereof) or into or on the waters of this commonwealth, from a vehicle, any waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish or any dangerous or detrimental substance, or permitting any of the preceding without immediately removing such items or causing their removal.
STEER CLEAR LAW
Requires motorists to move into a lane that is not adjacent to an emergency response area. An emergency response area is an area on or near a road where services are being provided by police, sheriffs, coroners, medical examiners, firefighters, fire police, fire marshalls, rescue personnel, emergency medical service personnel, towing and recovery personnel, hazardous material response team members and/or highway construction and maintenance personnel. If drivers cannot move over because of traffic or other conditions, they must reduce their speed.
HEADLIGHT/WINDSHIELD WIPER LAW
This law requires motorists to turn on their headlights anytime their vehicles wipers are in continuous or intermittent use due to weather conditions. Daytime running lights are not enough. Your tail lights must be illuminated as well.
ANTI-TEXTING LAW
Violating this law is a primary, summary offense with convictions carrying a $50 fine.
SAFE PASSING IS THE LAW
Be sure to check for oncoming traffic. When passing, you must allow at least four (4) feet between your vehicle and a bicycle in order to pass safely. If necessary and if you can do it safely, you are permitted to cross the center double yellow line so you can maintain the four (4) feet of clearance between your vehicle and the bicycle.
Safe Driving in Amish Country
Driving through rural areas of Pennsylvania, among the sites you will see are cornfields, cows and barns. The
slow-moving vehicle sign is applied to farm machinery, construction equipment
and animal-drawn vehicles. If you come upon a vehicle displaying the sign, you
should slow down and use caution since those vehicles are often moving slower
than 25 miles per hour.
Of particular concern in rural areas are horse-drawn buggies,
which are dark in color and difficult to spot. They also tend to ravel slower
than 8 miles per hour. In addition to being hard to see and slow-moving, horses
can be unpredictable and easily spooked.
Instead of blowing your horn in frustration, you should slow down when
approaching and passing, allowing plenty of room to pass where it is safe and
legal.
café Driving in Amish Countr
Often drivers of horse-drawn vehicles may not be able to see you
behind them. Following too closely is especially dangerous, as it puts yourself
as well as the occupants of the horse-drawn vehicle in a difficult situation. You
should leave a cushion of safety between you and the horse-drawn vehicle,
maintaining a measurable distance from the front of your car to the rear of the
buggy. This cushion gives you a chance
to react if a dangerous situation arises. When stopped at a stop sign or light,
remember to stay back since buggies often roll back a few feet after coming to
a complete stop. An easy way to measure distance is to stop your vehicle far
enough back so that you can see where the rear wheels of the buggy touch the road.
If you have a larger vehicle, you need to allow more of a cushion. Since a
horse-drawn buggy moves at a slow speed, it only takes seconds to overtake a buggy. Remember to always allow
a cushion of safety.
P.S. - as of this posting it is legal to use a hand held cell phone while driving - just PLEASE be careful!
