It is surprising how many Bucks County auto accidents and unnecessary personal injuries could have been prevented simply by following the rules of the road. Maybe you were running late, so you decided to run a stop sign; or maybe there was a day when it was just too cold to go outside in the morning and clear the snow off of your car. While these offenses don’t seem very serious, they are considered basic rules of the road, designed to decrease the incidence of auto accidents in Bucks County. Experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyer Michael L. Saile, Jr. reviews some of the most important—and most often overlooked—rules of Pennsylvania roads.
PA General Rules of the Road
1. Right-of-way: Pedestrians in crosswalks as well as vehicles making right turns have the right-of-way in PA. In general, when planning to turn left, you should yield the right-of-way to vehicles approaching closely in the opposite direction. There are exceptions to this rule, such as the use of a left-turn signal on a traffic light. Always take posted yield signs into account when approaching a roadway. You should also yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles that have their emergency signals engaged.
2. Turning signals: The use of turning signals is required prior to turning or changing lanes. On roads with speeds of 35 mph or less, the turn signal should be engaged starting 100 feet before the turn. For roads with speeds greater than 35 mph, the turn signal should be given no less than 300 feet before the turn. If one of your turn signals is out of order, hand signals are permitted.
3. Required stops: You are required to stop prior to a railroad crossing upon seeing a signal indicating the approach of a train. You are also required to come to a complete stop when exiting a driveway, building or alley, as well as for a school bus with flashing red lights.
4. Speed Restrictions: In general, follow all posted speed limits throughout Pennsylvania. By law, penalties for speeding may be issued if a vehicle reaches speeds of 5 mph or more over the posted speed limit. Always take weather and road conditions into account when determining a safe driving speed.
More Recent Rules of PA Roads
According to Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Law, a recent amendment requires you to turn on your headlights when you are using your windshield wipers. It is also important to clear your car of snow before hitting the road. Snow or ice can be dislodged from a moving vehicle, causing a Pennsylvania auto accident, even leading to serious injury or death.
If you were injured in a Bucks County auto accident, contact the lower Bucks County personal injury law firm of Cordisco & Saile LLC for helpful legal information. Schedule your FREE consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney, and don’t forget to download your FREE instant copy of our PA Car Accident Book.
