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Search Observer-Reporter
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Ask the Officer: February 2008To submit your question, e-mail Sgt. Robert Lemons Jr. at sgtlemons@officer.com
Q. Is it illegal to back your vehicle out of your driveway? 2/29/08
A. No, but there is a section of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code called "Limitations on backing," stating basically that any operator moving a vehicle in reverse must do so in a safe manner.
Q. If I have a PFA order on my ex-husband and he comes to my home violating the order, can he be sentenced to jail? 2/28/08
A. Yes, your ex-husband can be sentenced to jail on every violation of the protection from abuse order. The judge who signed the order is the one who determines jail time.
Q.What constitutes someone doing time in the county jail rather than state prison? 2/27/08
A. A person sentenced to up to 23 months can stay at the county level. Any term over 24 months is sent to the state level.
Q. I live in the City of Washington, and my son was told he couldn't shoot his BB gun on our property. Is that true? 2/25/08
A. Yes, the City of Washington has an ordinance on air- and spring-loaded weapons. A citation could be issued on the above violation.
Q. If you are driving in the snow and slide off the road, is it safer to stay in the vehicle or get out of the vehicle in case another car slides into you? 2/23/08
A. It depends on the situation. If you feel you can get away from the vehicle to a safe place, that is an option. The other option you have is to stay where you have cover and protection, which is inside the vehicle.
Q. What is the fine for parking in a handicap space when you're not disabled? 2/22/08
A. The fine is $50 plus costs, and sometimes a tow bill depending on the situation.
Q. Where in the back seat is the best place to put a car seat, in the middle or on the sides? 2/21/08
A.The seat should be placed where it can be secured by the safety belts or any other safety features that come with the item.
Q. Are stun guns legal to possess in Washington County? What permits do you need? 2/20/08
A. Stun Guns are considered a prohibited offensive weapon. They are illegal to possess under Pennsylvania Crimes Code Section 908.
Q. What would be the right thing to do other than the obvious to handle someone riding to close to the rear of my vehicle? 2/19/08
A. I would just pull over and let him pass. There is no reason to risk an accident.
Q. On a four-lane divided highway (example: Route 19), when a school bus is stopped with its red lights on, does all traffic have to stop or just the vehicles on the same side? 2/18/08
A. Unless the road is divided with a solid barrier, opposite traffic would have to stop.
Q. What is the curfew for the City of Washington? 2/17/08
A. Anyone under the age of 18 can be issued a citation for a curfew violation if he or she is outside without a parent between 11 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. weekdays, and midnight and 6 a.m. weekends.
Q. What is the fine for a traffic violation? 2/16/08
A. Fines are based on the type of violation that occurrs. A stop sign violation is a $25 fine plus costs. Driving while your license is suspended can be from $200 to $1,000 or more, depending on the situation.
Q. My wife and I are considering obtaining gun permits. What are the procedures? 2/15/08
A. All gun permits usually are handled by the county sheriff of the county which you live. There is an application process and a background check.
Q. Can you tell me if dirt bikes are able to be operated on side streets in Washington and South Strabane? 2/14/08
A. Any vehicle that is not registered cannot be operated on any road. There are some dirt bikes that are also registered as street bikes. They are legal.
Q. If there is snow on the road, can you operate a quad/ATV on that road without the police chasing you? 2/13/08
A. A quad/ATV can not be driven on any road because it fails to comply with Pennsylvania Inspection requirements, even though the newer quads are registered through the DNR.
Q. What would the penalty be if I get arrested for DUI and my blood alcohol was .08 to .10%? 2/12/08
A. The range you are asking about falls under the General Impairment section of the vehicle code. The penalty under this section for the first-time offender would be:
- undergo mandatory minimum 6 month probation
- pay $300 fine
- attend an alcohol highway safety school
- comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed under sentence.
Q. What is the law when it comes to children riding in the back of open pickup trucks? 2/11/08
A. No person younger than 18 years of age is permitted to ride in the back of open pickup.
Q. How far does your vehicle have to be from a fire hydrant? 2/10/08
A. Vehicles have to be 15 feet from a fire hydrant.
