PA law - headlights on in work zones

[sao123]

Originally posted by: altonb1

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I was thinking about it while driving through Pennsylvania... Every time you reach a work zone, there's a sign that says "PA law: turn on headlights in workzones." Problem is, there's a work zone every 10 miles; your lights are on in the entire state.

I remember driving to Erie, PA to take my kids to Waldameer Park when they were 5 or 6 years old... that's 10 years ago. I90 was a construction zone through Erie back then... It's STILL a construction zone. The road is going to wear out and need to be replaced before they ever finish it at the rate they're moving.

Daytime Running Lamps FTW!

Seriously, though, that's the logic I use--I have headlights on because of the DRLs...I'm safe.

According to pennsylvania law, DRL's do not count in the case of workzone traffic conditions.

**shudder**
<-- works for penndot

http://www.pahighways.com/graphics/jokepics/joke.jpg

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: Linux23

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
we have to turn them on in the rain in CA. it makes sense, of course, but sad that it required a law to get people to do it.

now we should make a law that lowers the speed limit in unsafe conditions. (not sarcasm, i'm seriously tired of idiots who drive 65 in the rain and then lose control).

whose to say that my car doesn't perform better in the rain than yours? if i have better tires, and awd, why can't i go as fast as i can see? i know the limits of my car and know when i need to slow it down.

yes, because obviously, if YOU know the limits of your car, then EVERYONE must know, right?

If you're talking about everyone else and the limits of their cars, then we should make it harder for people to get their license.

My little sister got her license this month, and I came home to visit last weekend. The fact that she still had so many questions about road laws and the workings of a vehicle and yet got her license scared me.

 

[archcommus]

If you drove in PA much you'd know that no one obeys that law.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: altonb1

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I was thinking about it while driving through Pennsylvania... Every time you reach a work zone, there's a sign that says "PA law: turn on headlights in workzones." Problem is, there's a work zone every 10 miles; your lights are on in the entire state.

I remember driving to Erie, PA to take my kids to Waldameer Park when they were 5 or 6 years old... that's 10 years ago. I90 was a construction zone through Erie back then... It's STILL a construction zone. The road is going to wear out and need to be replaced before they ever finish it at the rate they're moving.

Daytime Running Lamps FTW!

Seriously, though, that's the logic I use--I have headlights on because of the DRLs...I'm safe.

According to pennsylvania law, DRL's do not count in the case of workzone traffic conditions.

**shudder**
<-- works for penndot

http://www.pahighways.com/graphics/jokepics/joke.jpg

Shens, nobody works for PennDOT.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: archcommus
If you drove in PA much you'd know that no one obeys that law.

Yeah, because it seems like no one's out there enforcing the law. But lately, I've been seeing a lot more State Troopers on the highway. Wonder what happened.

P.S. - The construction on I-76 is a mess

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: AgentJean
Just don't speed in a PA work zone(10 MPH over the limit)
It is a reckless charge and you can lose your license.

I've been in the state for just over a year...and I did not know this. Thanks for the head's up!

 

[dxkj]

Lol I grew up near titusville PA, just south of erie a bit, so I know what you are talking about.... PA roads suck

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
I had to get a new computer for my Dodge Van.

It came programmed that my lights turn on with the ignition key.

I can take out the switch and put something else in it's place like an iPOD.

OK thats neat. i wouldnt mind that.

it turns on the lights when you start the car and i assume i turns them off when you shut off the car?

that would be usefull.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: altonb1

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I was thinking about it while driving through Pennsylvania... Every time you reach a work zone, there's a sign that says "PA law: turn on headlights in workzones." Problem is, there's a work zone every 10 miles; your lights are on in the entire state.

I remember driving to Erie, PA to take my kids to Waldameer Park when they were 5 or 6 years old... that's 10 years ago. I90 was a construction zone through Erie back then... It's STILL a construction zone. The road is going to wear out and need to be replaced before they ever finish it at the rate they're moving.

Daytime Running Lamps FTW!

Seriously, though, that's the logic I use--I have headlights on because of the DRLs...I'm safe.

According to pennsylvania law, DRL's do not count in the case of workzone traffic conditions.

**shudder**
<-- works for penndot

http://www.pahighways.com/graphics/jokepics/joke.jpg

Shens, nobody works for PennDOT.

Corrected... I am employed with PennDOT.


although i did code a windows app on the job once.

 

[Triumph]

Some of my earliest memories growing up in PA involve sitting in construction traffic on the Turnpike to Carlisle. And guess what, the stretch of Turnpike from Pittsburgh to Carlisle still has construction zones, 20 some years later. It's welfare for the construction workers.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I was thinking about it while driving through Pennsylvania... Every time you reach a work zone, there's a sign that says "PA law: turn on headlights in workzones." Problem is, there's a work zone every 10 miles; your lights are on in the entire state.

I remember driving to Erie, PA to take my kids to Waldameer Park when they were 5 or 6 years old... that's 10 years ago. I90 was a construction zone through Erie back then... It's STILL a construction zone. The road is going to wear out and need to be replaced before they ever finish it at the rate they're moving.

Topic Title: PA law - headlights on in work zones
Topic Summary: the whole state is a work zone

LMAO,
I drive with my Headlights on aprox. 90% of the time,
just habit, after driving various equipment/ trucks at work for 25+ years;

Step 1 check oil/tires/lights.
step 2 get in vehicle; adjust seat/mirrors/windows.
step 3 start vehicle, check guages, turn on headlights, go.

 

[Linux23]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Some of my earliest memories growing up in PA involve sitting in construction traffic on the Turnpike to Carlisle. And guess what, the stretch of Turnpike from Pittsburgh to Carlisle still has construction zones, 20 some years later. It's welfare for the construction workers.

LMFAO. Same here in Jersey. These construction workers will probably finish repairing this bridge sometime in the year 2030.:roll:

 

[Eos]

I think a lot of you don't realize how much damage the heavy traffic in PA does. It's not like you can grind the top 3 inches of asphalt and lay down new stuff. The amount of traffic on all of the major interstates back there contribute to long construction seasons. Plowing all winter doesn't help. Plows do a lot of damage, then the roadbed gets wet and you're screwed. They can't keep up with the needed repairs.

In Idaho a couple of summers ago, it took them about 4 months to completely tear up and rebuild 4 or 5 miles of 2 lane concrete freeway. It's great now, but for 4 months all traffic was on the eastbound side. I know of some projects where all that's needed is a grind and patch. They can do about 2 miles of a single lane overnight. Cone it off, start grinding, lay down new asphalt and be done by 5 am. Works well, but this is a little piss ant job compared to anything on I-76, I-80 or I-90

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: eos
I think a lot of you don't realize how much damage the heavy traffic in PA does. It's not like you can grind the top 3 inches of asphalt and lay down new stuff. The amount of traffic on all of the major interstates back there contribute to long construction seasons. Plowing all winter doesn't help. Plows do a lot of damage, then the roadbed gets wet and you're screwed. They can't keep up with the needed repairs.

In Idaho a couple of summers ago, it took them about 4 months to completely tear up and rebuild 4 or 5 miles of 2 lane concrete freeway. It's great now, but for 4 months all traffic was on the eastbound side. I know of some projects where all that's needed is a grind and patch. They can do about 2 miles of a single lane overnight. Cone it off, start grinding, lay down new asphalt and be done by 5 am. Works well, but this is a little piss ant job compared to anything on I-76, I-80 or I-90

Exactly! What you don't understand though, is that there are MANY locations where they've been working on the same 2 mile stretch for over a decade. I'm not complaining about there being different 2 mile stretches every time I pass through, it's always the *same* 2 mile stretch, year after year after year. It's like they say "okay, we have 4,000 places that need to be repaired and 2000 workers, so let's have each worker pick 2 spots and alternate days on each location.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: eos
I think a lot of you don't realize how much damage the heavy traffic in PA does. It's not like you can grind the top 3 inches of asphalt and lay down new stuff. The amount of traffic on all of the major interstates back there contribute to long construction seasons. Plowing all winter doesn't help. Plows do a lot of damage, then the roadbed gets wet and you're screwed. They can't keep up with the needed repairs.

In Idaho a couple of summers ago, it took them about 4 months to completely tear up and rebuild 4 or 5 miles of 2 lane concrete freeway. It's great now, but for 4 months all traffic was on the eastbound side. I know of some projects where all that's needed is a grind and patch. They can do about 2 miles of a single lane overnight. Cone it off, start grinding, lay down new asphalt and be done by 5 am. Works well, but this is a little piss ant job compared to anything on I-76, I-80 or I-90

They need to do something about the Schuylkill Expressway. Two lanes (each way) cannot cut it anymore. And I took I-80 last summer, and they did the same exact thing as you just described. Block off the entire westbound lanes, and making the eastbound lanes both east/west.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: mattocs
It should be a law that you must have headlights on at all times.

No, that would be stupid. It would be pointless legislation.

I actually don't like DRL, because it makes headlights more "normal" and as such motorcycles (which always have their lights on) are less noticeable.

Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Originally posted by: sao123
**shudder**
<-- works for penndot

http://www.pahighways.com/graphics/jokepics/joke.jpg

Shens, nobody works for PennDOT.

Maybe he meant that he collects a paycheck from PennDOT

Constructions sites are generally a joke, they're just an excuse to knock down the speed limit and make twice as much money per ticket. It's not like there are ever any workers there...you're lucky if you even see any equipment.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: jagec

Constructions sites are generally a joke, they're just an excuse to knock down the speed limit and make twice as much money per ticket. It's not like there are ever any workers there...you're lucky if you even see any equipment.

No, you're lucky to see any equipment being operated. Generally the equipment is there, but just sits for a few months until anything's done with it.

 

[Pepsi90919]

"Speed fines doubled when workers present" <-- ontario

 

[Babbles]

f the PA highway system

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: eos
I think a lot of you don't realize how much damage the heavy traffic in PA does. It's not like you can grind the top 3 inches of asphalt and lay down new stuff. The amount of traffic on all of the major interstates back there contribute to long construction seasons. Plowing all winter doesn't help. Plows do a lot of damage, then the roadbed gets wet and you're screwed. They can't keep up with the needed repairs.

In Idaho a couple of summers ago, it took them about 4 months to completely tear up and rebuild 4 or 5 miles of 2 lane concrete freeway. It's great now, but for 4 months all traffic was on the eastbound side. I know of some projects where all that's needed is a grind and patch. They can do about 2 miles of a single lane overnight. Cone it off, start grinding, lay down new asphalt and be done by 5 am. Works well, but this is a little piss ant job compared to anything on I-76, I-80 or I-90

No, the real problem is the fundamental design of the roadbeds. Roadbeds in Europe are easily double what they are here, something like 30 inches deep to our 15. If they would build it right the first time, they wouldn't have to rebuild it every 3 years.

 

[Apathetic]

Oh my God, I haven't thought about Waldameer in years..

<--- Originally from Erie, PA

Dave

 

[Apathetic]

If you're going to bash on my home state, make sure you get it right. :|

There are THREE seasons in PA: Winter, slush season, and construction.

Believe me, slush season (especially in northern PA) isn't to be taken lightly.

Dave

Edit: stupid typo

Originally posted by: Jeff7
I recall an article in a magazine my dad gets - it was a road review by truckers of states across the road.
1) PA has some of the worst roads in the country
2) There are 2 seasons in PA: Winter and Construction


I loved one construction project near Allentown - the sign said it would start April 10th, 2004. That sign was there for a least a year after that, and there still wasn't any construction. I think it was sometime in late 2005 that they finally started the project. And it is still being worked on. Ahh, the speed of government-paid road crews.

I remember driving to Erie, PA to take my kids to Waldameer Park when they were 5 or 6 years old... that's 10 years ago. I90 was a construction zone through Erie back then... It's STILL a construction zone. The road is going to wear out and need to be replaced before they ever finish it at the rate they're moving.

Maybe that's the idea. Job security.

Originally posted by: Scouzer
whats wrong with having to have your headlights on? worried you'll burn out $6 bulbs?

If I turn on my lights during the daytime, I almost always forget to turn them off. My headlights do turn off when the car isn't running, but the other lights (running lights?) stay on, killing the battery.