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8 critical laws Pennsylvania residents should know

Stories by Centre Daily Times journalists, with AI summarization

Pennsylvania residents should be aware of several critical laws affecting their daily lives, particularly concerning vehicle management, child supervision, and property rights. Driving with expired car registration tags is unlawful and can result in significant fines and penalties, emphasizing the importance of keeping registrations current. Pennsylvania law also imposes stringent penalties on motorists who improperly pass school buses, reflecting the state's commitment to child safety.

Residents should know that keeping mislaid property without attempting to return it constitutes theft, which can attract severe penalties. Additionally, the commonwealth lacks specific legislation on the minimum age for leaving children unattended, leaving discretion to parents who remain liable for any resulting harm.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

A 35 miles per hour speed limit sign on eastbound Blue Course Drive between Westwind Drive and Circleville Road on Thursday, June 29, 2023. By Abby Drey

NO. 1: CAN I DRIVE OVER THE SPEED LIMIT TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC? WHAT PENNSYLVANIA LAW SAYS

How many points on your license can you get in PA for speeding? Here’s a breakdown. | Published March 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Cars travel along Pike Street in Lemont on Friday, April 21, 2023. By Abby Drey

NO. 2: CAN YOU PARK YOUR CAR AND BLOCK A SIDEWALK IN PENNSYLVANIA? WHAT STATE, LOCAL LAWS SAY

Trying to cut corners while finding a parking spot? It could cost you. | Published March 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Workers from Bus Control install cameras in Kauffman buses in Hampden Township, Pa., Oct. 12, 2023. By Mark Pynes

NO. 3: PENNDOT ISSUES NEW RULES UNDER UPDATE TO SCHOOL BUS STOP ARM CAMERA LAW

“This program is about increasing the safety of children riding school buses across the state.” | Published March 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Zack Hooper

“I lost my wallet; men’s wallet or billfold has been lost, misplaced, dropped or stolen in a downtown urban setting. Sidewalk or street scene showing frustration and worry.” By carterdayne

NO. 4: FIND A LOST WALLET? KEEPING MISLAID PROPERTY CAN GET YOU IN LEGAL TROUBLE IN PENNSYLVANIA

Keeping that package delivered by mistake could cost you. | Published March 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

In most cases, Washington state law says that any sun-screening material on windows must allow at least 24 percent light transmission. The exception is windshields, which can only have tint on the top 6 inches in order to block the sun. By Joshua Bessex

NO. 5: IS IT LEGAL TO DRIVE WITH TINTED WINDOWS IN PENNSYLVANIA? SEE WHAT STATE GUIDELINES SAY

How much can you tint your windshield? There’s a limit in Pennsylvania. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Close-up of vehicle form with pen By i_frontier

NO. 6: IS IT LEGAL TO DRIVE WITH EXPIRED CAR REGISTRATION TAGS? HERE’S WHAT PENNSYLVANIA LAW SAYS

What happens if your vehicle’s registration is expired by only a day or two? | Published June 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

A Bibb County man died Monday, days after crashing into a deer while driving an all-terrain vehicle. By wakr10

NO. 7: CAN YOU DRIVE YOUR ATV, FOUR-WHEELER ON PENNSYLVANIA ROADS? HERE’S WHAT STATE LAW SAYS

Is your child old enough to legally drive an ATV? State laws might surprise you. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

A young girl looks out of her bedroom window in this stock image. By Justin Paget

NO. 8: CAN YOU FACE CHARGES FOR LEAVING A CHILD HOME ALONE IN PA? WHAT THE LAW SAYS IS A CRIME

How old should your child be to stay home alone over summer break? | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.