§ 4903. Securing loads in vehicles
Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated StatutesTitle 75 Pa.C.S.A. VehiclesEffective: September 9, 2022
Effective: September 9, 2022
75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4903
§ 4903. Securing loads in vehicles
(1) Every load of logs on a vehicle shall be securely fastened with binders, chains or straps and, in the case of an open-body or stake-body vehicle, trailer or semitrailer there shall be a sufficient number of vertical metal stakes or posts securely attached on each side of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer at least as high as the top of the load to secure such load in the event of a failure of the binders, chains or straps.
(c.1) Load of loose garbage.--Every load of loose, nonbaled garbage, waste, refuse or rubbish being transported through or within this Commonwealth shall be transported in a vehicle with four solid sides and with a cover or top of a type to prevent any of the load from escaping. The cover or top shall remain tightly in place going to a disposal site. The load shall be no higher than the solid sides of the vehicle. It is imperative that all garbage, waste, refuse or rubbish be removed from the vehicle at the disposal site to prevent any scattering of litter on the highway during the return trip. No truck, trailer or semitrailer with an open body or stake body shall be used for such purposes. This subsection shall not apply to vehicles engaged in the systematic collection of garbage or refuse and which are designed to be open in the rear for the loading of garbage or refuse.
(c.2) Load of baled garbage.--Garbage, municipal waste, waste, refuse or rubbish in a tightly compacted and baled form being transported through or within this Commonwealth shall be securely fastened to the vehicle and covered over all exposed areas by being placed within a woven bag or with a canvas cover or cover of a comparable type. If a canvas cover or cover of a comparable type is used, the cover shall be securely attached to the underside of all sides of the truck, trailer or semitrailer by straps. A woven bag, canvas cover or cover of a comparable type shall have the purpose of preventing any of the material from the bales from escaping. No part of any bale shall be uncovered, except for inspection, at any time during transportation within or through this Commonwealth until arrival at the disposal site.
(c.3) Load of equipment with hydraulically operated boom arm.--The boom arm of equipment with a hydraulically operated boom arm being transported through or within this Commonwealth shall be securely fastened to the vehicle with steel restraining devices to prevent its movement or shifting during transit.
(f) Penalty for violation of subsection (a), (b) or (c).--A person who owns or who operates a vehicle in violation of subsection (a), (b) or (c) and, as a result of the violation, any item, piece, fragment or part of the load escapes and causes injury to a person or damage to another vehicle or other property commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $1,000. A violation of subsection (a), (b) or (c) which does not result in injury to a person or damage to another vehicle or other property constitutes a summary offense, punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $300.
(g) Penalty for violation of subsection (c.1) or (c.2).--A person who owns or who operates a vehicle in violation of subsection (c.1) or (c.2) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $1,000. Notwithstanding the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 3571 (relating to Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.) and 3573 (relating to municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.), disposition of any fine collected for a violation of subsection (c.1) or (c.2) shall be as follows:
(2) If the county where the offense was committed has a litter control program approved by the department, 50% of the fine collected shall be paid to the county for expenditure in the approved litter control program; and 50% of the fine collected shall be paid to the Commonwealth for deposit into the Motor License Fund.
Credits
1976, June 17, P.L. 162, No. 81, § 1, effective July 1, 1977. Amended 1990, March 13, P.L. 69, No. 14, § 4, imd. effective; 1996, July 11, P.L. 660, No. 115, § 17, effective in 60 days; 2008, Nov. 26, P.L. 1658, No. 133, § 9.1, effective in 60 days [Jan. 26, 2009]; 2022, July 11, P.L. 1591, No. 91, § 2, effective in 60 days [Sept. 9, 2022].
75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4903, PA ST 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4903
Current through Act 10 of the 2024 Regular Session. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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