Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

THE VEHICLE CODE (TITLE 75)

PART III. OPERATION OF VEHICLES

CHAPTER 33. RULES OF THE ROAD IN GENERAL

Subchapter F. Speed Restrictions.

§ 3362. Maximum speed limits.

(a) General rule.--Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with section 3361 (relating to driving vehicle at safe speed), the limits specified in this section or established under this subchapter shall be maximum lawful speeds and no person shall drive a vehicle at a speed in excess of the following maximum limits:

(1) 35 miles per hour in any urban district.
(1.1) 65 miles per hour for all vehicles on freeways where the department has posted a 65-miles-per-hour speed limit
(1.2) 25 miles per hour in a residence district, if the highway:

  1. is not a numbered traffic route; and
  2. is functionally classified by the department as a local highway.
(2) 55 miles per hour in other locations.
(3) Any other maximum speed limit established under this subchapter.

(b) Posting of speed limit.--

  1. No maximum speed limit established under subsection (a)(1), (1.2) or (3) shall be effective unless posted on fixed or variable official traffic-control devices erected in accordance with regulations adopted by the department which regulations shall require posting at the beginning and end of each speed zone and at intervals not greater than one-half mile.
  2. No maximum speed limit established under subsection (a)(1.1) shall be effective unless posted on fixed or variable official traffic-control devices erected after each interchange on the portion of highway on which the speed limit is in effect and wherever else the department shall determine.

(c) Penalty.--

  1. Any person violating this section is guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of:
    1. $42.50 for violating a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour; or
    2. $35 for violating any other maximum speed limit.
  2. Any person exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than five miles per hour shall pay an additional fine of $2 per mile for each mile in excess of five miles per hour over the maximum speed limit.

[Webmaster notes: Every driver licensed in this Commonwealth who is convicted of an offense under this section will be assessed points as of the date of violation as prescribed under the system for driver education and control set forth in this title. See § 1535 of this title (relating to schedule of convictions and points).
Section 3716 provides that if a commercial motor vehicle overturns in an accident resulting from a violation of this section 3362, the operator of the vehicle shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $2,000, in addition to any other penalty authorized by law.]
[Webmaster note: Section 3366 provides that every citation or complaint for charges of violations of speed provisions in this subchapter shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven and the applicable speed limit.]

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Maximum Speed Limits / Judiciary@att.net / This webpage was last updated April 2003