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PA law - headlights on in work zones

DrPizza

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
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.
 
Oh, and since I'm on a minor rant about construction zones, why is it that some states deem it safe to travel 65 through construction zones, (Oklahoma) while other states (NY lower traffic speeds to 45 or less in nearly identical situations?

 
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.
Click to expand...

Daytime Running Lamps FTW!

Seriously, though, that's the logic I use--I have headlights on because of the DRLs...I'm safe.
 
my car has those smaller non-headlight lights that are on when my headlights are off, do they count?
 
It's a law but not enforced. I generally turn mine on but you can see that rarely half the people ever turn them on.
 
I've noticed road construction seems to have picked up in recent weeks. I guess the state's wait until the last minute and realize that winter is fast approaching so they better get a start on those projects!

On my 38 mile commute home, through southern PA and northern MD, I pass through four construction zones.. Its ridiculous!
 
I just leave em on all the time anyway - makes me a little more likely to be seen, particularly around dawn or dusk.
 
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.
 
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.
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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?
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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.
 
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.
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...

you car doesn't go ding ding ding when you leave your lights on and remove the key?
 
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.
Click to expand...


Then the MPAA/RIAA will come after you. :laugh:
 
Yeah just another reason why PA sucks. Can't go anywhere in this damned state without hitting some construction.
 
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.
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75 in a 45 work zone for the win (I-83 dead-man's curve south of York) - and it's a VERY hairy work zone. It's just that it's been there so long that EVERYONE does it. The only time you have to back off is when you're in a traffic gap going Northbound, because cops have space to sit in that one, and often do. But they won't stop multiple vehicles. But if you're alone, you're screwed.

Southbound, there is no shoulder ANYWHERE, so you're good to go.

Oh, and I don't turn mine on, even if I'm actually rolling up on a cop "babysitting" an active work zone (yes, in PA, you cannot have an active construction zone unless it is protected by jersey walls or a state trooper is present, taking a nap in the car with the red and blues on.

Also, I'd like to take a moment to relate a humorous experience regarding construction zones. Rolled past a construction truck setting out the cones to block off a lane. Due to the above mentioned babysitting policy, a cop was there, rolling along behind the truck at 2mph. the guy was so bored that he was actually rolling up to the cone, swerving around it, and then swerving back in just past it it. It was absolutely hysterical to watch.
 
I almost always have my headlights on at all times. No matter what time of day it is, it is much, much easier to see (and notice) vehicles around you with lights on.
 
Originally posted by: pontifex
you car doesn't go ding ding ding when you leave your lights on and remove the key?
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Not so much as a peep. It only complains when I leave the key in and open the door.

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.
Click to expand...
It sucks though sometimes, as an area can be marked as a "work zone" even though the only "work" that is done in the area for a few months is to stand up the traffic cones that get knocked down over time. Other than that, a work area might be essentially abandoned for half a year. Even the police cars drive through it at normal speeds.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7
It sucks though sometimes, as an area can be marked as a "work zone" even though the only "work" that is done in the area for a few months is to stand up the traffic cones that get knocked down over time. Other than that, a work area might be essentially abandoned for half a year. Even the police cars drive through it at normal speeds.
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I wish I could remember which state I noticed it in last week, in one of the construction zones, they were taking the cones down at 6 or 7pm... a day or so later when I passed through going the opposite way, the cones were back up and they were working. I remember thinking "that's how it should be - take the cones down if you're not actively working"... either that same state, or another state had flashing lights on "active work zones" - if no one was working, the work zone was turned off.
 
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.
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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).
 
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.
Click to expand...

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).
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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).
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

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