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Ask the Officer
Ask the officer
Sgt. Robert Lemons Jr.,
Washington police
community outreach
sgtlemons@officer.com
Previous Q&A:
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
To report suspicious activity in Washington County, call 1-800-281-0070. The hotline is confidential and operates 24 hours a day.
Ask the officer
Sgt. Robert Lemons Jr.,
Washington police
community outreach
sgtlemons@officer.com
Previous Q&A:
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
To report suspicious activity in Washington County, call 1-800-281-0070. The hotline is confidential and operates 24 hours a day.
Q. If you find a teen with a junior license out after 11 p.m., what happens? What is the process or punishment? 10/26/09
A. The person could be cited for a summary offense under Section 1503 (c), and the fine would be $25 plus costs.
Q. When backing out of a parking space and a car drives by and hits you, whose fault would it be?10/22/09
A. The person backing the vehicle up has to make sure it is safe and no vehicles are approaching.
Q. What is the fine for having no inspection sticker at all?10/19/09
A. The fine is $25 plus costs.
A. The person could be cited for a summary offense under Section 1503 (c), and the fine would be $25 plus costs.
Q. When backing out of a parking space and a car drives by and hits you, whose fault would it be?10/22/09
A. The person backing the vehicle up has to make sure it is safe and no vehicles are approaching.
Q. What is the fine for having no inspection sticker at all?10/19/09
A. The fine is $25 plus costs.
Q. Regarding a vehicle pulling a trailer, can you please explain what part and section of the vehicle code gives police the right to pull you over just to see if your connected right? My understanding is that your suppose to be DOT-certified to do this.10/15/09
A. Chapter 49 in Title 75 deals with size, weight and load. Any police officer, if he observes a violation under this section, can stop and issue citations, usually for chains not being crossed and other minor violations. The DOT certification is for inspection of vehicles that someone would need a commercial driver's license to operate.
A. Chapter 49 in Title 75 deals with size, weight and load. Any police officer, if he observes a violation under this section, can stop and issue citations, usually for chains not being crossed and other minor violations. The DOT certification is for inspection of vehicles that someone would need a commercial driver's license to operate.
Q. What, if anything, can be done about cars turning left into the post office on Chestnut Street in Washington?9/18/09
A. Drivers can be cited for making the turn if viewed by a police officer.
Q. Is it legal to park on the off ramps of any interstate? For instance, at a rest area or truck stop, if there isn't enough room in the designated parking area, are you legally allowed to park along side of the ramps and road?9/14/09
A. As long as there are no signs prohibiting such act or they are not blocking the road, then it is legal.
Q. What is the section that covers having to have your headlights on in a construction zone?9/3/09
A. Section 4309 (a) of the PA Vehicle Code. This is a secondary violation, which means you have to be convicted of another violation that occurred at the same time.
Q. What is the penalty for someone who drives without lights on at night to avoid being caught by police after committing a crime?8/31/09
A. The violation is Section is 3734 of the vehicle code and. The fine would be $200 plus costs. The total would be $284.50
Q. Do school buses have to drive with headlights on?8/27/09
A. Section 4308 of the vehicle code states that every school bus shall display lighted head lamps during the entire period of the school bus operation.
Q. What is the penalty to a person driving on a junior driver's license when it is after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m.?8/24/09
A. Under Section 1503 (c) of the vehicle code, any violation of the Junior Driver's License section is guilty of a summary offense. The fine unless otherwise stated for certain offenses is $25 plus costs.
Q. What is the law on hauling items in your vehicle that are longer than your vehicle? I've heard that in a truck, items should be straight back with a red flag on the end, and in a car, items should be out the passenger's window with a red flag on the end. Is this true? Also, what about hauling an item in the trunk of a car but the item is too large to completely close the trunk. Must the trunk be tied down?7/27/09
A. Projecting loads can extend only so far from your vehicle. Off the back, it is six feet maximum, with a red flag attached. Loads extending off the front can be only three feet maximum. Off the passenger's side, the limit is one foot. Loads extending out of the driver's side are prohibited.
Q. Are ATVs allowed on public roads? What can I do if they ride past my house at all hours of the day and night?7/22/09
A. No, ATVs are not permitted to be on roads. Police could cite the driver for Section 1301A - Registration and Certificate of Title Required.
Q. Is it legal to leave your vehicle running on a public street while unattended? Is it legal if you lock the vehicle and leave it running? 7/13/09
A. The only thing in the vehicle code about unattended vehicles deals with children being left inside and parking violations that apply. Leaving you vehicle run, even locked, is how most vehicles get stolen. Just remember that locks keep only honest people out.
Q. What can I do if I keep receiving harassing messages left on my cell phone if the call come from an "unavailable" number and the caller does not leave his or her name on the voice mail, but I recognize the voice? 7/9/09
A. You can contact your cell phone provider and see if they can send you hard copies of your calls incoming and outgoing. It might have the number on there. I have seen cases in which people have been found guilty of harassment by phone because the people testified they knew their voice. Contact you police department to discuss your options.
Q. Is it legal to have a trailer hitch and ball on the back of your vehicle even though you're not using it? 7/6/09
A. There is nothing in the vehicle code that prohibits having the ball and hitch attached when not in use.
Q. Is there such a thing as "quiet hour" in the city of Washington? If so, when is it? 6/25/09
A. I've never heard of a "quiet hour." There is an ordinance called "Excessive Noise Unlawful" that states it's unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise or any noise that either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others: Ordinance 1356 (602).
Q. If your vehicle's registration and insurance are up to date but your inspection is not, is there a fine? 6/22/09
A. The fine under Section 4703 PA Vehicle Code is $25 plus costs for an expired inspection being operated on the roadway. The total cost of the citation would be $109.50.
Q. I have a concealed weapon permit. If I get pulled over for a traffic offense, should I tell the officer that I have a weapon on me or just let him issue the citation and be on my way? 6/19/09
A. It's better to be safe than sorry. I would show your permit along with the rest of your paperwork. If any weapons are present in the vehicle, officers like to know. If the officer happens to see the weapon without knowing you are legal, it could turn into a bad situation for everyone involved.
Q. I know we are in the middle of spring/summer season, but my friends and I were having an argument as to whether it is against the law to drive without your headlights at night during a "whiteout"? Having your headlights on during a whiteout reflects off the falling snow making it difficult to see, but if you turn off your headlights and leave just your parking lights on you can see where you are going and others can see you or at least your parking lights. 6/16/09
A. Yes, you must have your headlights on at night!
Q. When you're in a construction zone but it is evening and not active, do you have to obey the lowered speed limit posted, or can you do the regular speed limit posted in that area? If it is not active, can you still be fined double for speeding in a work zone? 6/8/09
A. If the sign states a speed limit while the scene is active, that is the speed limit while the work is being done. If no work is being done, the speed limit goes back to what ever it is normally.
Q. I ride motorcycle on a lot of charity runs with a group of 50 or more motorcycles. We use blockers at intersections to allow all bikes to continue through without interruption. Are blockers legal? 6/5/09
A. If something would happen and there would be an accident, your blockers could be held responsible for blocking the road. You're better off to set it up with local police that they handle intersections with emergency vehicles and lights so that everyone is legal.
Q. Is it OK if you drink several beers if you are only driving your tractor to the neighbors' house to till their garden? 5/22/09
A. You still can be arrested for DUI while driving a tractor. It is considered a vehicle.
Q. I understand it is a state law to stop for pedestrians in a cross walk. Do they also have the right of way at an intersection with traffic signals and/or cross walk signals even if they are crossing against the light or signal? 5/18/09
A. If there are signals for pedestrians, they must follow the traffic control devices. Pedestrians can be cited for not obeying the signals at a cross walk, or intersection.
Q. Does the state Department of Transportation issue photo IDs as temporary driver's licenses? If not, what would the legal use be when issued to an adult or to someone out of state? 5/8/09
A. Photo identifications are issued to people who don't drive or can't obtain a license because of suspensions. Photo IDs are not a license in Pennsylvania.
Q. Is an individual able to call the police when he or she sees something illegal occurring by someone else on the road (such as someone passing when there's a double yellow line)? If so, how does one go about reporting the incident? 5/6/09
A. You could call 911 when you witness such driving, but unless an officer is close, it would be difficult to get the vehicle stopped for further investigation. If an officer would stop the vehicle, the driver could be cited on information received from you, but you would have to testify in court.
Q. What is the distance you can park from a stop sign? 5/4/09
A. Since most stop signs are on corners of intersections, the answer would be 20 feet. You can't park within that distance from a intersection.
Q. Is "cross-street parking" or "wrong side to the curb" parking legal in Washington? All the cars on the right should be facing downhill. All the cars on the left should be facing uphill. 5/1/09
A. According to Section 3354 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, vehicles must have their right-side tires to the right-side curb. The answer would be no, it is not legal, and the vehicle could be cited for the violation.
Q. Is it legal to drive a car barefoot? 4/29/09
A. I have never observed anything in the vehicle code prohibiting this. You just have to make sure you still have complete control over the vehicle at all times.
Q. What happens when a school bus comes to a railroad crossing with no gate and the lights flashing, but no train is in sight? This is a regular occurrence at one crossing. The buses wait maybe five minutes, then call transportation and they have to give them permission to cross. The railroad is well aware of the problem.If the police see them , they can issue them a ticket. 4/27/09
A. If an officer goes by the book, yes, they can be issued a ticket, although some common sense and discretion probably would play a role here. If the driver of the bus waits then calls their company and gets permission, the driver wouldn't receive a ticket, more than likely. The other option would to be sitting there all night, then people calling about missing children.
A. Drivers can be cited for making the turn if viewed by a police officer.
Q. Is it legal to park on the off ramps of any interstate? For instance, at a rest area or truck stop, if there isn't enough room in the designated parking area, are you legally allowed to park along side of the ramps and road?9/14/09
A. As long as there are no signs prohibiting such act or they are not blocking the road, then it is legal.
Q. What is the section that covers having to have your headlights on in a construction zone?9/3/09
A. Section 4309 (a) of the PA Vehicle Code. This is a secondary violation, which means you have to be convicted of another violation that occurred at the same time.
Q. What is the penalty for someone who drives without lights on at night to avoid being caught by police after committing a crime?8/31/09
A. The violation is Section is 3734 of the vehicle code and. The fine would be $200 plus costs. The total would be $284.50
Q. Do school buses have to drive with headlights on?8/27/09
A. Section 4308 of the vehicle code states that every school bus shall display lighted head lamps during the entire period of the school bus operation.
Q. What is the penalty to a person driving on a junior driver's license when it is after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m.?8/24/09
A. Under Section 1503 (c) of the vehicle code, any violation of the Junior Driver's License section is guilty of a summary offense. The fine unless otherwise stated for certain offenses is $25 plus costs.
Q. What is the law on hauling items in your vehicle that are longer than your vehicle? I've heard that in a truck, items should be straight back with a red flag on the end, and in a car, items should be out the passenger's window with a red flag on the end. Is this true? Also, what about hauling an item in the trunk of a car but the item is too large to completely close the trunk. Must the trunk be tied down?7/27/09
A. Projecting loads can extend only so far from your vehicle. Off the back, it is six feet maximum, with a red flag attached. Loads extending off the front can be only three feet maximum. Off the passenger's side, the limit is one foot. Loads extending out of the driver's side are prohibited.
Q. Are ATVs allowed on public roads? What can I do if they ride past my house at all hours of the day and night?7/22/09
A. No, ATVs are not permitted to be on roads. Police could cite the driver for Section 1301A - Registration and Certificate of Title Required.
Q. Is it legal to leave your vehicle running on a public street while unattended? Is it legal if you lock the vehicle and leave it running? 7/13/09
A. The only thing in the vehicle code about unattended vehicles deals with children being left inside and parking violations that apply. Leaving you vehicle run, even locked, is how most vehicles get stolen. Just remember that locks keep only honest people out.
Q. What can I do if I keep receiving harassing messages left on my cell phone if the call come from an "unavailable" number and the caller does not leave his or her name on the voice mail, but I recognize the voice? 7/9/09
A. You can contact your cell phone provider and see if they can send you hard copies of your calls incoming and outgoing. It might have the number on there. I have seen cases in which people have been found guilty of harassment by phone because the people testified they knew their voice. Contact you police department to discuss your options.
Q. Is it legal to have a trailer hitch and ball on the back of your vehicle even though you're not using it? 7/6/09
A. There is nothing in the vehicle code that prohibits having the ball and hitch attached when not in use.
Q. Is there such a thing as "quiet hour" in the city of Washington? If so, when is it? 6/25/09
A. I've never heard of a "quiet hour." There is an ordinance called "Excessive Noise Unlawful" that states it's unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise or any noise that either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others: Ordinance 1356 (602).
Q. If your vehicle's registration and insurance are up to date but your inspection is not, is there a fine? 6/22/09
A. The fine under Section 4703 PA Vehicle Code is $25 plus costs for an expired inspection being operated on the roadway. The total cost of the citation would be $109.50.
Q. I have a concealed weapon permit. If I get pulled over for a traffic offense, should I tell the officer that I have a weapon on me or just let him issue the citation and be on my way? 6/19/09
A. It's better to be safe than sorry. I would show your permit along with the rest of your paperwork. If any weapons are present in the vehicle, officers like to know. If the officer happens to see the weapon without knowing you are legal, it could turn into a bad situation for everyone involved.
Q. I know we are in the middle of spring/summer season, but my friends and I were having an argument as to whether it is against the law to drive without your headlights at night during a "whiteout"? Having your headlights on during a whiteout reflects off the falling snow making it difficult to see, but if you turn off your headlights and leave just your parking lights on you can see where you are going and others can see you or at least your parking lights. 6/16/09
A. Yes, you must have your headlights on at night!
Q. When you're in a construction zone but it is evening and not active, do you have to obey the lowered speed limit posted, or can you do the regular speed limit posted in that area? If it is not active, can you still be fined double for speeding in a work zone? 6/8/09
A. If the sign states a speed limit while the scene is active, that is the speed limit while the work is being done. If no work is being done, the speed limit goes back to what ever it is normally.
Q. I ride motorcycle on a lot of charity runs with a group of 50 or more motorcycles. We use blockers at intersections to allow all bikes to continue through without interruption. Are blockers legal? 6/5/09
A. If something would happen and there would be an accident, your blockers could be held responsible for blocking the road. You're better off to set it up with local police that they handle intersections with emergency vehicles and lights so that everyone is legal.
Q. Is it OK if you drink several beers if you are only driving your tractor to the neighbors' house to till their garden? 5/22/09
A. You still can be arrested for DUI while driving a tractor. It is considered a vehicle.
Q. I understand it is a state law to stop for pedestrians in a cross walk. Do they also have the right of way at an intersection with traffic signals and/or cross walk signals even if they are crossing against the light or signal? 5/18/09
A. If there are signals for pedestrians, they must follow the traffic control devices. Pedestrians can be cited for not obeying the signals at a cross walk, or intersection.
Q. Does the state Department of Transportation issue photo IDs as temporary driver's licenses? If not, what would the legal use be when issued to an adult or to someone out of state? 5/8/09
A. Photo identifications are issued to people who don't drive or can't obtain a license because of suspensions. Photo IDs are not a license in Pennsylvania.
Q. Is an individual able to call the police when he or she sees something illegal occurring by someone else on the road (such as someone passing when there's a double yellow line)? If so, how does one go about reporting the incident? 5/6/09
A. You could call 911 when you witness such driving, but unless an officer is close, it would be difficult to get the vehicle stopped for further investigation. If an officer would stop the vehicle, the driver could be cited on information received from you, but you would have to testify in court.
Q. What is the distance you can park from a stop sign? 5/4/09
A. Since most stop signs are on corners of intersections, the answer would be 20 feet. You can't park within that distance from a intersection.
Q. Is "cross-street parking" or "wrong side to the curb" parking legal in Washington? All the cars on the right should be facing downhill. All the cars on the left should be facing uphill. 5/1/09
A. According to Section 3354 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, vehicles must have their right-side tires to the right-side curb. The answer would be no, it is not legal, and the vehicle could be cited for the violation.
Q. Is it legal to drive a car barefoot? 4/29/09
A. I have never observed anything in the vehicle code prohibiting this. You just have to make sure you still have complete control over the vehicle at all times.
Q. What happens when a school bus comes to a railroad crossing with no gate and the lights flashing, but no train is in sight? This is a regular occurrence at one crossing. The buses wait maybe five minutes, then call transportation and they have to give them permission to cross. The railroad is well aware of the problem.If the police see them , they can issue them a ticket. 4/27/09
A. If an officer goes by the book, yes, they can be issued a ticket, although some common sense and discretion probably would play a role here. If the driver of the bus waits then calls their company and gets permission, the driver wouldn't receive a ticket, more than likely. The other option would to be sitting there all night, then people calling about missing children.
