Weird Laws in PA

Laws often reflect the times and values of when they were written. As such, many states have old laws, some of which are still in the books, that may seem weird to us today.

Pennsylvania is no exception. These weird Pennsylvania laws serve as a reminder that the law is complex.

That means having professional legal assistance is quite valuable when you’re facing a legal situation you’re unfamiliar with. If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of others, contact our Pennsylvania personal injury team at Munley Law today for a free consultation. Weird Laws in PA

Bizarre Traffic Laws That Are Still on the Books

Although the following Pennsylvania laws applying to traffic and vehicles may not be all that well-known, they’re still on the books:

No car purchases on Sundays: The prohibition of buying or selling a car on Sunday is a holdover from “Blue laws,” laws that allowed for a day of rest. Although these laws originally served religious purposes, they’re now more secular.
Flare requirements on dark roads: Drivers in Pennsylvania must keep flares or other such warning devices in their vehicles to alert approaching motorists if they break down on dark roads. Some mistakenly believe this means a bizarre Pennsylvania law requiring motorists to use flares to scare away livestock on dark roads is also still on the books. That’s not the case, as many famous “weird Pennsylvania” laws are actually proposed laws that never got passed.
Horse spooking regulations: PennDOT offers a Horse and Buggy Driver’s Manual indicating horse and buggy vehicles have the same rights to the road as other vehicles in Pennsylvania. However, contrary to what some may believe, while a drafted law suggested that motorists may need to hide or conceal their vehicles to avoid “spooking” horses upon approaching them, this is another proposed law that was never actually enacted.

The degree to which these weird Pennsylvania laws have modern relevance depends on the nature of the law and its enforcement. For example, buying a car on Sunday in Pennsylvania is not an option. While keeping flares in your vehicle is important in case of emergencies, you might not face penalties for the lack of such devices in your car unless law enforcement somehow discovers the issue.

Injured in an unusual traffic situation? Contact the Pennsylvania car accident lawyers at Munley Law for a free consultation.

Essential Vehicle Safety Laws That Keep Pennsylvanians Protected

While some might view Pennsylvania’s vehicle regulations as overly detailed, these well-thought-out laws actually form a foundation for public safety on our roads. Let’s examine some key regulations that protect both drivers and pedestrians across the Commonwealth – and no, none of them ban driving backwards on Sundays while eating a sandwich, despite what your uncle might have told you at the last family barbecue.

The “Clean Car Law” for school transportation demonstrates Pennsylvania’s commitment to student health and safety. By requiring both interior and exterior cleanliness of school buses, this regulation helps prevent the spread of illness among children and ensures clear visibility for drivers through clean windows and mirrors.
Pennsylvania’s comprehensive snow removal requirement stands out as a prime example of preventive safety legislation. By mandating that drivers clear all snow and ice from their vehicles before hitting the road, this law prevents dangerous projectiles from flying off vehicles at highway speeds – a simple step that has undoubtedly saved lives.
The headlight law during precipitation might seem obvious to some, but its importance cannot be overstated. When wipers are necessary, visibility is naturally reduced, and illuminated headlights significantly improve a vehicle’s visibility to other drivers, reducing accident risk in challenging weather conditions.
Perhaps most critical is Pennsylvania’s “Move Over” law, which creates a protective buffer for emergency responders working on roadsides. This regulation requires drivers to change lanes away from stopped emergency vehicles when possible, providing vital space for first responders to safely perform their life-saving work.

These thoughtful regulations reflect Pennsylvania’s proactive approach to traffic safety, prioritizing prevention and protection for all road users.

Unusual Property and Housing Laws

Vehicle and traffic laws aren’t the only types of Pennsylvania laws that might raise eyebrows. Consider the following housing and property laws:

- - Bathroom proximity requirements: It’s against the law for a child’s bedroom to be more than 200 feet from a toilet or bathroom, although this law really only applies to child treatment facilities.
  - Refrigerator storage rules: Naturally, Pennsylvania has food storage rules that involve proper refrigerator usage. However, there’s also a law prohibiting sleeping on a refrigerator outdoors.

Dealing with an unusual property dispute? Let our experienced team evaluate your case.

Weird Public Safety Laws That Might Surprise You

Public safety is important. However, as these weird Pennsylvania laws make clear, not every public safety law seems necessary:

- - Cannon discharge restrictions: It’s against the law to fire a cannon during a wedding in PA, in case that was something you ever planned on.
  - Noise ordinance peculiarities: Some Pennsylvania municipalities have local laws prohibiting “hollering,” whistling, and other such forms of making annoying or disruptive noise between the hours of 11 PM and 7 AM.
  - Fortune-telling regulations: It is against the law to attempt or pretend to predict future events for money in Pennsylvania! Be aware that this law doesn’t forbid fortune-telling entirely. Instead, it makes it illegal to claim you can predict future events for personal gain.

Charged with an unusual violation? Schedule your free consultation today.

Odd Local Laws in Pennsylvania Cities

Individual Pennsylvania cities can have weird laws like these:

- - Philadelphia’s unique regulations: There is actually a Philadelphia law prohibiting putting pretzels in bags!
  - Pittsburgh’s strange ordinances: An on-the-books law in Pittsburgh states it’s illegal to bring a donkey or mule on a trolley, which is unlikely to be an issue these days. Most Pittsburgh residents don’t own mules or donkeys, and those who do probably aren’t going to bring them onto the Pittsburgh Light Rail system anytime soon.

Should you actually worry about these laws being enforced? Probably not. You aren’t about to get arrested for putting pretzels in a bag in Philly.

Still need clarity on local laws? Our legal team can help.

Unusual Business and Commerce Regulations

If you run a business in Pennsylvania, you may need to know about these laws, not all of which are as plain silly as every law on this list:

- - Sunday sales restrictions: Again, old laws tied to religious practices are responsible for the prohibition of sales of motor vehicles and other such items on Sundays.
  - Food handling oddities: Although Pennsylvania laws regarding food handling are relatively normal and similar to those of other states, they do include certain additional provisions that might sound odd, even though they serve a genuine purpose. For example, the law has had to make clear that domestic pets cannot be in food preparation areas.
  - Street vendor rules: Here’s a unique law regarding street vendors that only applies in Philadelphia: it is illegal for street vendors to load or unload merchandise for longer than 20 minutes at a time.