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Ask the Officer: August 2008
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
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
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. Can I get in trouble if I let someone who doesn't have a license drive my vehicle? 8/31/08
A. Yes, Section 1575 - Permitting violation of title or Section 1574 - Permitting unauthorized person to drive. Owner of vehicle receives same fine/penalty as person who is driving.
Q. Do drivers have to obey people directing traffic in construction zones if they are not police officers? 8/30/08
A. Section 3102 PA Vehicle Code: Obedience to authorized persons directing traffic. Any person acting in his/her scope of employment is authorized to direct traffic. Examples: funeral home employees, private security officers, etc. A person can be cited by a police officer on information received from above individuals for violations pertaining to construction zones.
Q. Is it legal to operate a vehicle with your left foot working the accelerator/brake? 8/29/08
A. I have never observed anything in the vehicle code prohibiting such a thing, but I wouldn't recommend it.
A. Yes, Section 1575 - Permitting violation of title or Section 1574 - Permitting unauthorized person to drive. Owner of vehicle receives same fine/penalty as person who is driving.
Q. Do drivers have to obey people directing traffic in construction zones if they are not police officers? 8/30/08
A. Section 3102 PA Vehicle Code: Obedience to authorized persons directing traffic. Any person acting in his/her scope of employment is authorized to direct traffic. Examples: funeral home employees, private security officers, etc. A person can be cited by a police officer on information received from above individuals for violations pertaining to construction zones.
Q. Is it legal to operate a vehicle with your left foot working the accelerator/brake? 8/29/08
A. I have never observed anything in the vehicle code prohibiting such a thing, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Q. What is the law when it comes to riding in the back of pickup trucks? 8/26/08
A. No one can ride in an open-bed pickup if the vehicle goes more than 35 mph. Any child under 18 cannot ride in the open bed at all on public roads. There are situations in which this section doesn't apply: parades,farmhands going from one part of the farm to another, etc.
A. No one can ride in an open-bed pickup if the vehicle goes more than 35 mph. Any child under 18 cannot ride in the open bed at all on public roads. There are situations in which this section doesn't apply: parades,farmhands going from one part of the farm to another, etc.
Q. How long after you buy a vehicle do you have to get it inspected? 8/20/08
A. You have 15 days from date of purchase to get the vehicle inspected.
Q. What section covers vehicle registrations in the vehicle code? 8/19/08
A. Section 1301(A) - Registration and certificate of title required
Q. What is the maximum fine if you get cited for disorderly conduct? 8/18/08
A. The maximum fine is $300 plus costs.
Q. If your neighbor's trees grow over onto your property, can you then cut off what has grown onto your property if your neighbor refuses to do so? 8/15/08
A. You would have to talk to a lawyer to see what your rights are. What you are talking about is a civil matter. You might also talk to the magistrate who covers your area to see what he/she advises.
Q. Is it legal for someone to park on the street directly behind my driveway? It makes it very difficult to back out, and that person's car has been hit several times. Even though we try to be careful, there is limited room to maneuver. 8/4/08
A. As long as there are no signs prohibiting parking and the vehicle is not blocking the driveway, they can park across the street. Check with your municipality about any ordinances that cover this subject.
A. You have 15 days from date of purchase to get the vehicle inspected.
Q. What section covers vehicle registrations in the vehicle code? 8/19/08
A. Section 1301(A) - Registration and certificate of title required
Q. What is the maximum fine if you get cited for disorderly conduct? 8/18/08
A. The maximum fine is $300 plus costs.
Q. If your neighbor's trees grow over onto your property, can you then cut off what has grown onto your property if your neighbor refuses to do so? 8/15/08
A. You would have to talk to a lawyer to see what your rights are. What you are talking about is a civil matter. You might also talk to the magistrate who covers your area to see what he/she advises.
Q. Is it legal for someone to park on the street directly behind my driveway? It makes it very difficult to back out, and that person's car has been hit several times. Even though we try to be careful, there is limited room to maneuver. 8/4/08
A. As long as there are no signs prohibiting parking and the vehicle is not blocking the driveway, they can park across the street. Check with your municipality about any ordinances that cover this subject.
