April 24, 2008 08:15 am
—
By Pennsylvania State Police, Butler Barracks
BUTLER — In an effort to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from traffic-related crashes during the spring and summer seasons, Pennsylvania State Police Troop D is attempting to inform motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike of certain Pennsylvania vehicle laws. It is a goal and the intention of Troop D to make this spring and summer seasons the safest for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in many years.
Who are they?
These high risk drivers climb into the anonymity of an automobile and take out their frustrations on anybody at any time.
For them, frustration levels are high, and level of concern for fellow motorists is low.
They run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right, make improper and unsafe lane changes, make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk and flash their lights.
They drive at speeds far in excess of the norm which causes them to: follow too closely, change lanes frequently and abruptly without notice (signals), pass on the shoulder or unpaved portions of the roadway, and leer at and/or threaten — verbally or through gestures — motorists who are thoughtless enough to be in front of them
When confronted by aggressive driver:
n First and foremost make every attempt to get out of their way (safe manner).
n Put your pride in the back seat. DO NOT CHALLENGE them by speeding up or attempting to hold you own in your travel lane.
n Wear your seat belt. It will hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver and it will protect you in a crash.
n Ignore gestures and refuse to return them. Avoid eye contact.
n Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location and if possible, direction of travel.
n If you have a cell phone, and can do it safely, call the police 911 county radio or Troop D stations:
(724) 284-8100, PSP Butler, Butler County
(724) 773-7400 PSP Beaver, Beaver County
(724) 543-2011 PSP Kittanning, Armstrong County
(724) 662-6162 PSP Mercer, Mercer County
(724) 598-2211 PSP New Castle, Lawrence County
n If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
n Avoid the challenges or confrontations of an aggressive driver and support law enforcement’s efforts to rid the streets and highways of this menace. Buckle up and drive safely!
Please see the following applicable traffic laws:
S 3303, overtaking vehicle on the left.
(a) General rule: The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to the limitations, exceptions and special rules stated in this chapter:
(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall stay to the left of the other vehicle until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle and shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on suitable signal.
S 3304, overtaking vehicle on the right.
(a) General rule: The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under one of the following conditions:
(1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn, except that such movement shall not be made by driving off the berm or shoulder of the highway.
(2) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaken vehicle, except 'that such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway.
S 3307, no-passing zones
(a) Establishment and marking: The department and local authorities may determine those portions of any highway under their respective jurisdictions where overtaking and passing or driving on the left side of the roadway would be especially hazardous and shall by appropriate signs or markings on the roadway indicate the beginning and end of such zones and when the signs or markings are in place and clearly visible to an ordinarily observant person every driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions of the signs or markings. Signs shall be placed to indicate the beginning and end of each no-passing zone.
(b) Compliance by drivers: Where signs and markings are in place to define a no-passing zone as set forth in subsection (a), no driver shall at any time drive on the left side of the roadway within the no-passing zone or on the left side of any pavement striping designed to mark a no-passing zone throughout its length,
S 3310, following too closely
(a) General rule: The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than s reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
(b) Combinations of vehicles and trucks: The driver of any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle or of any truck when traveling upon a roadway outside of an urban district and following a motor vehicle drawing another vehicle or following a truck shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger, except that this subsection does not prevent a motor vehicle drawing another vehicle or prevent a truck from overtaking and passing any vehicle or combination of vehicles.
3361, driving vehicle at safe speed
No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, nor at a speed greater than will permit the driver to bring his vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead. Consistent with the foregoing, every person shall drive at a safe and appropriate speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing, when approaching and going around curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway and when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.
S 3714, careless driving
(a) General rule: Any person who drives a vehicle in careless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of careless driving, a summary offense.
(b) Unintentional death: If the person who violates this section unintentionally causes the death of another person as a result of the violation, the person shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $500.
(C) Serious bodily injury: If the person who violates this section unintentionally causes the serious bodily injury of another person as a result of the violation, the person shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $ 250.
S 3736, reckless driving
(a) General rule: Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
S 3802. Driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance.
Please visit the Pennsylvania State Police web page, www.psp.state.pa.us.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.