New Law Requiring Headlights to Be Turned on in Work Zones Goes into Effect Feb. 21

Acting State Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler announced that starting on Friday, Feb. 21, motorists must turn their vehicles’ headlights on when traveling through a work zone to comply with state law. According to Biehler, PENNDOT is in the process of supplying all its county maintenance forces with new signs that will be used at the start of most work zones to remind motorists to turn their headlight on. Additionally, PENNDOT says that municipalities and utility companies will use the new signs on many of their larger projects, particularly on high-speed roads. According to PENNDOT, the law is a secondary offense and punishable by a fine of $25 when signs are in place. PENNDOT will work closely with the Pennsylvania State Police to enforce the new law. This is the first step in a host of new work zone safety initiatives that Pennsylvania will adopt this year as the result of Act 229 of 2002.