Most drivers in Pennsylvania know the basics: Wear your seatbelt. Stop at red lights. Do not drink and drive.
However, the state’s vehicle code has rules scattered throughout it that many motorists have never heard of. Some of these laws have been on the books for years without much public attention. Others are recent additions that have not had time to become common knowledge.
Breaking a law you did not know existed can still land you a citation. It can also create complications if you are involved in a car accident and the other side tries to use the violation against you. Below are a few of the lesser-known vehicle laws in Pennsylvania that every driver should be aware of.
Hanging Items From Your Rearview Mirror
Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 4524(c), drivers may not hang an object from the inside rearview mirror—or place or attach an object elsewhere—if it materially obstructs, obscures, or impairs the driver’s view through the windshield or otherwise creates a safety hazard.
The Move Over Law Covers More Than Emergency Vehicles
Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law requires drivers to either merge into a non-adjacent lane or slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching an emergency response area. Most drivers associate this rule with police cars and ambulances, but the law’s reach goes further than that.
The penalties are steep and can reach into the thousands of dollars. If a driver’s failure to move over results in bodily injury or wrongful death, the consequences become far more severe.
Paul Miller’s Law: The New Hands-Free Driving Rule
Pennsylvania was one of the last states in the country to adopt a comprehensive hands-free driving law. That changed in June 2025 when Paul Miller’s Law took effect. Named after a 21-year-old Lackawanna County man killed by a distracted truck driver in 2010, the law makes it a primary offense to hold or otherwise support a phone or similar device while driving. Officers no longer need another reason to pull you over.
As of June 2026, fines are now being issued for violations. The initial penalty is $50 plus court costs, but the real significance of the law is the precedent it sets. If you cause an accident while holding your phone, that violation becomes a powerful piece of evidence for the other side in a personal injury case.
Headlights Are Required When Your Windshield Wipers Are On
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to turn on their headlights whenever their windshield wipers are being used because of rain, snow, sleet, mist, or other atmospheric moisture. Under 75 Section 4302(a)(3), this requirement applies even during daylight hours.
The rule is easy to overlook. If you are driving through a daytime rainstorm, for example, turning on your windshield wipers also means your headlights should be on. The requirement applies whether the wipers are operating continuously or intermittently.
The purpose is to improve visibility and make vehicles easier for other motorists to see in adverse weather conditions. Failing to use required headlights can also become relevant after an accident if visibility or driver conduct is disputed.
Knowing this lesser-known rule can help Pennsylvania drivers avoid an unexpected traffic citation and another potential issue if they are later involved in a crash.
How These Laws Can Apply in a Personal Injury Case
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence standard with a 51% bar. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault for an accident, you cannot recover any compensation. Every traffic violation on the table at the time of a crash becomes a potential tool for the defense to push your share of fault higher.
Anything from a windshield obstruction you never thought about to a phone in your hand for five seconds at the wrong moment can be used to argue that you were negligent. Knowing the law is not just about avoiding tickets. It is about protecting yourself legally if something goes wrong on the road.
Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in an accident and are worried about how a traffic violation might affect your claim, speaking with an attorney is the smartest move you can make. Schedule a free consultation at (717) 231-1640 with a Pennsylvania car accident lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates today to learn more about your legal rights and options going forward.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay a dime in attorney’s fees unless your case is successful.