Another Change for Pennsylvania Drivers:

Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals

Dale G. Larrimore, Esq.[i]

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) began utilizing a new type of traffic signal on Commonwealth highways in 2016 – a Flashing Yellow Arrow signal. Motorists facing this type of signal must yield to any oncoming traffic and pedestrians before completing a left turn. While drivers always have to yield before making a left turn, this signal is a renewed warning that you may not have the right of way.

The Flashing Yellow Arrow is new in Pennsylvania, but this type of left-turn traffic signal has been used in other states where it has been proven to improve left-turn safety at signalized intersections. The Flashing Yellow Arrow signal has become commonplace in many states across the country over the last 10 years. Based on studies and transportation agency testimonials, Flashing Yellow Arrow signals improve left-turn safety by helping motorists recognize that they should yield while making left turns when there is oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Where implemented, this signal is often part of a signal configuration with four different left-turn arrows:

• Steady green left arrow meaning the left turn is protected and oncoming traffic will be directed to stop.

• Flashing yellow arrow meaning drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before completing the left turn.

• Steady yellow arrow meaning drivers intending to make a left turn should prepare to stop because the signal is about to change to red.

• Steady red arrow meaning drivers making a left turn must stop and cannot proceed.

The first Flashing Yellow Arrow signals were installed in western Pennsylvania in 2016. PennDOT announced earlier this month that this signal will be placed at an intersection in southeastern Pennsylvania on February 8 – at the intersection of Route 52 (Lenape Road) and Pocopson Road / West Creek Road in Pocopson Township, Chester County. This signal is being activated as part of the project to replace the structurally deficient Route 926 (Street Road) bridge over the Brandywine Creek in Birmingham and Pocopson townships. During this project traffic will be detoured onto Route 52 while Route 926 is closed, and this new traffic signal will enhance traffic flow on Route 52.

The Flashing Yellow Arrow will move additional traffic through the crossroads by allowing a greater number of drivers to make left turns onto Pocopson Road or West Creek Road. It will be accompanied by a sign reading, “LEFT TURNS YIELD ON FLASHING YELLOW ARROW.”

All Pennsylvania drivers should be expect to see more Flashing Yellow Arrow signals installed at other intersections in the future. More information is available on the Flashing Yellow Arrow signals and other traffic signal initiatives at www.penndot.gov in the Traffic Signals, Management section of “Travel in PA”.

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[i] Dale Larrimore is the author of the authoritative treatise, Pennsylvania Rules of the Road, published by Thomson Reuters, Vol. 13 of West’s Pennsylvania Practice Series, updated annually.

2017: A Year For Change for Pennsylvania Drivers

Changes in Store for PA Drivers

Dale G. Larrimore, Esquire[1]

            2017 is going to be a year of change for drivers in Pennsylvania. In addition to the changes in the Vehicle Code or court decisions that may affect some of us, there are two more basic issues that will affect all drivers.

            First, for vehicle owners, there are new rules for the annual registration of vehicles. No longer will you receive the small sticker to be attached to your license plate on the renewal of your car registration. Vehicle owners are still obligated to register their vehicles and obtain a registration card from the Department of Transportation. However, in a move that PennDOT estimates will save the over $3 million annually, the state will no longer send little stickers to be affixed to your license plate.

            This change will enable owners to renew vehicle registrations online and print their official registration card at home, rather than receiving it through the mail. You will now also be able to register for two years at one time, by doubling the $36 annual fee. Of course, you may still mail a check to PennDOT for the annual fee and receive a registration card in the mail.

            The second major change involves the REAL ID Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005, mandating changes to state standards, procedures and requirements for the issuance of driver's licenses and identification cards, if they are to be accepted as identity documents by the federal government. Pennsylvania does not currently meet these federal standards due to the passage, by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, of the REAL ID Nonparticipation Act[2] which bars the Governor and PennDOT from participating in REAL ID.

PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said in a statement in October: “In large measure, we are out of compliance for limited technical reasons and because existing state law bars us from fully complying. While we understand frustration with the cost of this unfunded federal mandate, our failure to comply because of the prohibition of current law will be a burden for Pennsylvanians.”  In a statement issued at the beginning of 2016, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson noted that, “for a license or identification card to be REAL ID compliant, the state issuing it must, for example, incorporate anti-counterfeit technology into the card, verify the applicant's identity, and conduct background checks for employees involved in issuing driver’s licenses.”

Under the REAL ID law, airline passengers from Pennsylvania and eight other states will not be allowed to board a flight as of January 22, 2018. Of more immediate concern, however, beginning on January 30, 2017, a Pennsylvania driver’s license would not be a valid form of identification for those visiting a federal facility, nuclear power plant or military base. Pennsylvania residents will need a federally-approved form of identification to access those buildings and facilities.

In January, Gov. Wolf and Pennsylvania legislative leaders wrote to the Department of Homeland Security and committed to taking action during this legislative session to make Pennsylvania driver’s licenses REAL ID compliant. Based on that communication, Homeland Security has granted Pennsylvania a final extension, until June 6, 2017, to show real progress in complying with the law. PennDOT has estimated that compliance with the federal statute would cost over $250 million for replacement of the nine million driver’s licenses and 1.4 million photo ID cards. However, other states have issued compliant licenses at a lower cost. State legislators are taking a two-pronged approach: asking federal legislators if the REAL ID law can be changed and working out a plan to make Pennsylvania licenses more secure.

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[1] Dale Larrimore is the author of the authoritative treatise, Pennsylvania Rules of the Road, published by Thomson Reuters, Vol. 13 of West’s Pennsylvania Practice Series.

[2] Act of May 8, 2012, P.L. 254, No. 38. “Neither the Governor nor the Department of Transportation or any other Commonwealth agency shall participate in the REAL ID Act of 2005 or regulations promulgated thereunder.”