Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
THE VEHICLE CODE (TITLE 75)
PART IV VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS

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CHAPTER 45. OTHER REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

SUBCHAPTER D -- EQUIPMENT OF AUTHORIZED AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES

§ 4571. Visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles.
§ 4572. Visual signals on authorized vehicles.
§ 4573. Identification of certain 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 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, may be equipped with the lights described in this section.
3. 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.

(c) Game Commission vehicles.--(Repealed).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

(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 and by police officers, sheriffs and deputy sheriffs in enforcement of the law. An ambulance which is transporting a patient may use either the lights or the audible warning system, or both, as determined by the driver of the ambulance.

(f) Conformity with department regulations.--All equipment authorized or required by this section shall conform to department regulations.

§4572. Visual signals on authorized vehicles.

(a) Flashing or revolving blue lights.--Ambulance personnel, volunteer firefighters 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.

1. In order to be eligible to display lights on their vehicles under this subsection, the names of the ambulance personnel and volunteer firefighters 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 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.
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 within ten days of receipt of notice from the chief of the ambulance or fire department or company 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 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 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.

(b) Flashing or revolving yellow lights.--Vehicles authorized pursuant to the provisions of section 6107 (relating to designation of authorized vehicles by department) may be equipped with no more than two flashing or revolving yellow lights. The manner in which the light shall be displayed and the intensity shall be determined by regulation of the department.

(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 subsections (a) and (b).

§4573. Identification of certain vehicles.

Any truck which is used commercially to tow other motor vehicles shall have the name of the business, or person, operating such truck displayed on signs on both sides of such truck.

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