SB 509 — An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in rules of the road in general, further providing for maximum speed limits, providing for maximum speed limits enforced by local law enforcement officers with RADAR and further providing for speed timing devices; and imposing penalties.

PRINTER'S NO.   495

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 509
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY ROTHMAN, BROWN, FONTANA, SANTARSIERO, KANE,
        PENNYCUICK, HUTCHINSON, BAKER, KEARNEY, STEFANO, SCHWANK,
        LAUGHLIN, ROBINSON, MILLER AND FLYNN, MARCH 26, 2025

     REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 26, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 2      Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for
 3      definitions; in rules of the road in general, further
 4      providing for maximum speed limits, providing for maximum
 5      speed limits enforced by local law enforcement officers with
 6      RADAR and further providing for speed timing devices; and
 7      imposing penalties.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.    Section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
11   Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
12   § 102.   Definitions.
13      Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
14   provisions of this title which are applicable to specific
15   provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when
16   used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly
17   indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
18      * * *
19      "LIDAR."   Speed-measuring equipment that determines target
20   range and speed based on the time-of-flight of laser light
 1   pulses reflected off a target. The term includes equipment that
 2   is used to gather, process and record images, as applicable, for
 3   speed enforcement purposes, including an automated speed
 4   enforcement system authorized under this title.
 5      * * *
 6      "Mechanical, electrical and electronic device."    A device
 7   other than LIDAR, RADAR or RADAR in motion that calculates the
 8   rate of speed of any vehicle. The term includes a device that
 9   determines speed by measuring elapsed time between measured road
10   surface points by using two sensors and devices which measure
11   and calculate the average speed of a vehicle between any two
12   points.
13      * * *
14      "RADAR."    An electronic device that determines target range
15   and speed based on radio microwaves reflected off a target from
16   a stationary point. The term includes an automated speed
17   enforcement system as authorized under this title.
18      "RADAR in motion."    An electronic device that determines
19   target range and speed based on radio microwaves reflected off a
20   target and operated when the motor vehicle is in motion.
21      * * *
22      "Speedometer."    The speed meter on the dashboard of a motor
23   vehicle operated by a police officer to determine the speed of a
24   vehicle.
25      * * *
26      Section 2.    Section 3362(c) of Title 75 is amended by adding
27   paragraphs and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
28   read:
29   § 3362.    Maximum speed limits.
30      * * *

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 1      (c)   Penalty.--
 2            * * *
 3            (3)   (i)     A person may not be convicted upon evidence
 4            obtained through the use of LIDAR, a mechanical,
 5            electrical and electronic device, RADAR or RADAR in
 6            motion:
 7                         (A)   Unless the speed recorded is 10 or more
 8                  miles per hour in excess of the legal speed limit.
 9                         (B)   When the legal speed limit exceeds 55 miles
10                  per hour, unless the speed recorded is six or more
11                  miles per hour in excess of the legal speed limit.
12                  (ii)    This paragraph shall not apply to evidence
13            obtained through the use of LIDAR, a mechanical,
14            electrical and electronic device, RADAR or RADAR in
15            motion within a school zone or an active work zone.
16            (4)   A person may not be convicted upon evidence obtained
17      through the use of LIDAR, a mechanical, electrical and
18      electronic device, RADAR or RADAR in motion to time the rate
19      of speed of vehicles within 500 feet after a speed limit sign
20      indicating a decrease in speed. This limitation shall not
21      apply to a speed limit sign indicating a school zone, bridge
22      and elevated structure speed limit, hazardous grade speed
23      limit and work zone speed limit.
24      (d)   Enforcement.--This section may be enforced by any of the
25   following:
26            (1)   A member of the Pennsylvania State Police using
27      LIDAR, a mechanical, electrical and electronic device, RADAR,
28      RADAR in motion or a speedometer.
29            (2)   A local law enforcement officer, as defined under
30      section 3362.1(g) (relating to maximum speed limits enforced

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 1      by local law enforcement officers with RADAR), using a
 2      mechanical, electrical and electronic device or speedometer.
 3            (3)    A police officer of the Delaware River Port
 4      Authority on a highway under the jurisdiction of the Delaware
 5      River Port Authority using a mechanical, electrical and
 6      electronic device, RADAR or a speedometer. Before RADAR can
 7      be used, the police officer must complete training under
 8      section 3362.1(b)(2).
 9      Section 3.      Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:
10   § 3362.1.      Maximum speed limits enforced by local law
11                  enforcement officers with RADAR.
12      (a)   Use of RADAR.--
13            (1)    A local law enforcement officer may use RADAR to
14      determine the lawful speed of vehicles on local highways.
15            (2)    A local law enforcement officer may use RADAR to
16      determine the lawful speed of vehicles on State highways if
17      authorization is provided by a Commonwealth agency.
18      (b)   Speed enforcement restrictions.--
19            (1)    Prior to the use of RADAR by a local law enforcement
20      officer in a municipality, the municipality, or each
21      municipality of a regional police department, must adopt an
22      ordinance authorizing the use of RADAR within the boundaries
23      of the municipality.
24            (2)    A local law enforcement officer must complete a
25      training course approved by the Pennsylvania State Police and
26      the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training
27      Commission prior to using RADAR.
28            (3)    A local law enforcement officer must be in a clearly
29      marked law enforcement vehicle in a location that is readily
30      visible to the motoring public while using RADAR.

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 1            (4)   In accordance with department regulations, not fewer
 2      than four official traffic-control devices, including warning
 3      signs indicating the use of RADAR, shall be erected within
 4      500 feet of the border of a municipality on not fewer than
 5      four highways entering the municipality prior to a local law
 6      enforcement officer using RADAR within the municipality's
 7      boundaries.
 8            (5)   The primary use of RADAR shall be for purposes of
 9      traffic safety. The following shall apply to citations:
10                  (i)    A political subdivision, regional police
11            department or agency of the Commonwealth may not order,
12            mandate, require or in any other manner, directly or
13            indirectly, suggest to a local law enforcement officer to
14            issue a certain number of citations under this subchapter
15            on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly basis.
16                  (ii)    The prohibition under subparagraph (i) shall
17            not affect the conditions of a Federal or State grant or
18            money awarded to a political subdivision, regional police
19            department or agency of the Commonwealth and used to fund
20            traffic enforcement programs.
21      (c)   Speed limits.--A driver may not operate a vehicle at a
22   speed in excess of the following maximum limits:
23            (1)   Thirty-five miles per hour in an urban district.
24            (2)   Sixty-five miles per hour or 70 miles per hour for a
25      vehicle on a freeway where the posted speed limit is 65 miles
26      per hour or 70 miles per hour.
27            (3)   Twenty-five miles per hour in a residence district
28      if the highway:
29                  (i)    Is not a numbered traffic route.
30                  (ii)    Is functionally classified by the department as

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 1          a local highway.
 2          (4)   Fifty-five miles per hour in any other location.
 3          (5)   Any other maximum speed limit established under this
 4    subchapter.
 5    (d)   Posting of speed limits.--
 6          (1)   A maximum speed limit established under subsection
 7    (c)(1), (3) or (5) shall not be effective unless posted on
 8    fixed or variable official traffic-control devices in
 9    accordance with regulations adopted by the department.
10          (2)   A maximum speed limit established under subsection
11    (c)(2) shall not be effective unless posted on fixed or
12    variable official traffic-control devices erected after each
13    interchange on the portion of a highway on which the speed
14    limit is in effect and at other locations determined by the
15    department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as
16    appropriate.
17    (e)   Penalty.--
18          (1)   A person violating this section commits a summary
19    offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a
20    fine of:
21                (i)    $42.50 for violating a maximum speed limit of 65
22          miles per hour or higher; or
23                (ii)   $35 for violating any other maximum speed
24          limit.
25          (2)   A person exceeding the maximum speed limit by more
26    than five miles per hour shall pay an additional fine of $2
27    per mile for each mile in excess of five miles per hour over
28    the maximum speed limit.
29          (3)   A violation of this section based upon evidence
30    obtained through RADAR shall result in the penalties provided

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 1    in this subsection and shall not be deemed a criminal
 2    conviction or considered cause for the issuance of points
 3    under section 1535 (relating to schedule of convictions and
 4    points).
 5        (4)    Notwithstanding sections 6322 (relating to reports
 6    by issuing authorities) and 6323 (relating to reports by
 7    courts), an issuing authority or court may not report a
 8    violation of this section based upon evidence obtained
 9    through the use of RADAR to the department.
10        (5)    During the initial 90 days of speed enforcement
11    using RADAR following adoption of the ordinance under
12    subsection (b)(1), a person may only be sanctioned for a
13    violation with a written warning.
14        (6)    (i)     A person may not be convicted upon evidence
15        obtained through the use of RADAR:
16                      (A)   Unless the speed recorded is 10 or more
17               miles per hour in excess of the legal speed limit.
18                      (B)   When the legal speed limit exceeds 55 miles
19               per hour, unless the speed recorded is six or more
20               miles per hour in excess of the legal speed limit.
21               (ii)    This paragraph shall not apply to evidence
22        obtained through the use of RADAR within a school zone or
23        an active work zone.
24        (7)    A person may not be convicted upon evidence obtained
25    through the use of RADAR to time the rate of speed of
26    vehicles within 500 feet after a speed limit sign indicating
27    a decrease in speed. This limitation shall not apply to a
28    speed limit sign indicating a school zone, bridge and
29    elevated structure speed limit, hazardous grade speed limit
30    and work zone speed limit.

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 1    (f)   Revenue limit.--
 2          (1)   The following apply to a municipality that adopts an
 3    ordinance under subsection (b)(1) authorizing the use of
 4    RADAR within the boundaries of the municipality:
 5                (i)    In the calendar year in which the municipality
 6          adopts the ordinance, the sum of fines that the
 7          municipality may retain for violations of this section
 8          and section 3362 (relating to maximum speed limits) shall
 9          be no more than an amount equal to 101% of the fines the
10          municipality received for violations of section 3362 in
11          the calendar year immediately preceding the adoption of
12          the ordinance.
13                (ii)   In the calendar year after the municipality
14          adopts the ordinance, and each calendar year thereafter,
15          the sum of fines the municipality may retain for
16          violations of this section and section 3362 shall be no
17          more than an amount equal to 101% of the sum of fines the
18          municipality was permitted to retain for violations of
19          this section and section 3362 in the preceding calendar
20          year.
21          (2)   By February 1 of the calendar year after a
22    municipality adopts an ordinance under subsection (b)(1)
23    authorizing a local police department to use RADAR, and each
24    February 1 thereafter for as long as the ordinance remains in
25    effect, a municipality shall certify to the department the
26    fines the municipality received in the prior calendar year
27    for violations of this section and section 3362. If the sum
28    of fines received for violations of this section and section
29    3362 in the prior calendar year exceeds the amount the
30    municipality was permitted to retain under paragraph (1), the

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 1      municipality shall remit the excess amount to the department
 2      for deposit into the Motor License Fund.
 3            (3)   The Department of the Auditor General shall audit
 4      fines received by municipalities for violations of this
 5      section and section 3362 and amounts remitted to the
 6      department under paragraph (2) to ensure compliance with this
 7      subsection. The following shall apply regarding audits:
 8                  (i)    An audit shall be conducted yearly and shall
 9            audit municipalities selected at random by the Department
10            of the Auditor General.
11                  (ii)    The Department of the Auditor General shall
12            have access to all documents it deems necessary to
13            complete an audit.
14                  (iii)    If the Department of the Auditor General
15            determines that a municipality remitted less than the
16            amount required under paragraph (2) in any of the most
17            recent 10 calendar years, the department shall deduct an
18            amount equal to 200% of the amount that the municipality
19            did not remit from the next payment to the municipality
20            under section 9502(a)(2)(v) (relating to imposition of
21            tax).
22      (g)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
23   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
24   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
25      "Local law enforcement officer."        An employee of a local
26   police department who is empowered to enforce 18 Pa.C.S.
27   (relating to crimes and offenses) and this title. The term does
28   not include a Pennsylvania State Police officer, constable,
29   sheriff or a deputy, fire police, transit police, airport
30   police, park ranger, university or college police game warden,

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 1   fish commission officer or railroad police.
 2      "Local police department."      A municipal or regional police
 3   department that:
 4             (1)   is authorized by one or more municipalities;
 5             (2)   provides patrol and investigative services; and
 6             (3)   reports its activities monthly to the Pennsylvania
 7      State Police in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform
 8      Crime Reporting System as defined in section 502 of the act
 9      of November 29, 2004 (P.L.1383, No.180), known as the Uniform
10      Crime Reporting Act.
11      Section 4.     Section 3368(c), (d), (e) and (f) of Title 75 are
12   amended to read:
13   § 3368.    Speed timing devices.
14      * * *
15      (c)    [Mechanical, electrical and electronic devices
16   authorized.--
17             (1)   Except as otherwise provided in this section, the
18      rate of speed of any vehicle may be timed on any highway by a
19      police officer using a mechanical or electrical speed timing
20      device.
21             (2)   Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3),
22      electronic devices such as radio-microwave devices, commonly
23      referred to as electronic speed meters or radar, may be used
24      only as part of an automated speed enforcement system or by
25      members of the Pennsylvania State Police.
26             (3)   Electronic devices which calculate speed by
27      measuring elapsed time between measured road surface points
28      by using two sensors and devices which measure and calculate
29      the average speed of a vehicle between any two points may be
30      used by any police officer.

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 1        (4)   No person may be convicted upon evidence obtained
 2    through the use of devices authorized by paragraphs (2) and
 3    (3) unless the speed recorded is six or more miles per hour
 4    in excess of the legal speed limit. Furthermore, no person
 5    may be convicted upon evidence obtained through the use of
 6    devices authorized by paragraph (3) in an area where the
 7    legal speed limit is less than 55 miles per hour if the speed
 8    recorded is less than ten miles per hour in excess of the
 9    legal speed limit. This paragraph shall not apply to evidence
10    obtained through the use of devices authorized by paragraph
11    (2) or (3) within a school zone or an active work zone.
12        (5)   Light detection and ranging devices, commonly
13    referred to as LIDAR, may be used only as part of an
14    automated speed enforcement system or by members of the
15    Pennsylvania State Police.] Additional speed timing devices
16    authorized.--
17        (1)   Except as otherwise provided in this section, the
18    rate of speed of any vehicle may be timed on any highway by a
19    police officer using a mechanical, electrical and electronic
20    device.
21        (2)   RADAR may be used only as part of an automated speed
22    enforcement system, by members of the Pennsylvania State
23    Police, police officers of the Delaware River Port Authority
24    or by local law enforcement officers under section 3362.1
25    (relating to maximum speed limits enforced by local law
26    enforcement officers with RADAR).
27        (3)   LIDAR may only be used as part of an automated speed
28    enforcement system or by members of the Pennsylvania State
29    Police.
30        (4)   RADAR in motion may only be used by members of the

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 1      Pennsylvania State Police.
 2      (d)   Classification, approval and testing of mechanical,
 3   electrical and electronic devices and RADAR.--[The department
 4   may, by regulation, classify specific devices as being
 5   mechanical, electrical or electronic. All mechanical, electrical
 6   or electronic devices shall be of a type approved by the
 7   department, which shall appoint stations for calibrating and
 8   testing the devices and may prescribe regulations as to the
 9   manner in which calibrations and tests shall be made. The
10   certification and calibration of electronic devices under
11   subsection (c)(3) shall also include the certification and
12   calibration of all equipment, timing strips and other devices
13   which are actually used with the particular electronic device
14   being certified and calibrated. Electronic devices commonly
15   referred to as electronic speed meters or radar shall have been
16   tested for accuracy within a period of one year prior to the
17   alleged violation. Other devices shall have been tested for
18   accuracy within a period of 60 days prior to the alleged
19   violation. A certificate from the station showing that the
20   calibration and test were made within the required period and
21   that the device was accurate shall be competent and prima facie
22   evidence of those facts in every proceeding in which a violation
23   of this title is charged.]
24            (1)   The department may, by regulation, classify specific
25      devices as being mechanical, electrical or electronic in
26      accordance with a mechanical, electrical and electronic
27      device.
28            (2)   All mechanical, electrical and electronic devices
29      shall be of a type approved by the department, which shall
30      appoint stations for calibrating and testing the devices and

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 1    may prescribe regulations as to the manner in which
 2    calibrations and tests shall be made.
 3        (3)   The certification and calibration of mechanical,
 4    electrical and electronic devices, as appropriate, shall also
 5    include the certification and calibration of all equipment,
 6    timing strips and other devices which are actually used with
 7    the particular device being certified and calibrated.
 8        (4)   RADAR and RADAR in motion shall have been tested for
 9    accuracy within a period of one year prior to the alleged
10    violation.
11        (5)   Mechanical, electrical and electronic devices shall
12    have been tested for accuracy within a period of 60 days
13    prior to the alleged violation.
14        (6)   A certificate from the station showing that the
15    calibration and test were made within the required period and
16    that the device was accurate shall be competent and prima
17    facie evidence of those facts in every proceeding in which a
18    violation of this title is charged. A certificate of accuracy
19    may be completed, signed and submitted electronically by the
20    certifying technician on a form provided by the department.
21        (7)   (i)    The department may promulgate regulations for
22        the classification, calibration, testing, certification
23        and use of a mechanical, electrical and electronic
24        device, RADAR, RADAR in motion and a speedometer. In
25        order to facilitate the prompt implementation of this
26        subsection, the department shall promulgate temporary
27        regulations, which shall not be subject to:
28                    (A)   Section 612 of the act of April 9, 1929
29              (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code
30              of 1929.

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 1                         (B)   Sections 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205 of the
 2                  act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.769, No.240), referred to
 3                  as the Commonwealth Documents Law.
 4                         (C)   Section 204(b) of the act of October 15,
 5                  1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth
 6                  Attorneys Act.
 7                         (D)   The act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181),
 8                  known as the Regulatory Review Act.
 9                  (ii)    Temporary regulations adopted under this
10            paragraph shall expire after three years or upon
11            promulgation of final regulations for this subsection,
12            whichever is sooner.
13      (e)   Distance requirements [for use of mechanical, electrical
14   and electronic devices.--Mechanical,].--LIDAR, mechanical,
15   electrical [or] and electronic devices, RADAR, RADAR in motion
16   and a speedometer may not be used to time the rate of speed of
17   vehicles within 500 feet after a speed limit sign indicating a
18   decrease of speed. This limitation on the use of speed timing
19   devices shall not apply to speed limit signs indicating school
20   zones, bridge and elevated structure speed limits, hazardous
21   grade speed limits and work zone speed limits.
22      (f)   LIDAR testing and calibration.--
23            (1)   The department may, upon publication in the
24      Pennsylvania Bulletin, provide that LIDAR speed measuring
25      devices and LIDAR systems shall be calibrated and tested
26      using the testing procedures in department regulation.
27            (2)   LIDAR speed measuring devices and LIDAR systems
28      shall be calibrated and tested every 365 days at a minimum
29      before being utilized by the Pennsylvania State Police or as
30      part of an automated speed enforcement system.

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 1        (3)    The certification that the LIDAR device and system,
 2    as applicable, have been tested and found to be accurate
 3    shall create a presumption that the requirements of this
 4    subsection have been fulfilled.
 5        [(4)    As used in this subsection, the following words and
 6    phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
 7    paragraph unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
 8        "LIDAR."       The technology of measuring target range using
 9    reflected light to determine target range and speed from the
10    time-of-flight of laser pulses.
11        "LIDAR speed-measuring device."        Speed-measuring
12    equipment that determines target range and speed based on the
13    time-of-flight of laser light pulses reflected off a target.
14        "LIDAR system."        A LIDAR speed-measuring device that
15    incorporates additional equipment that is used to gather,
16    process and record images, as applicable, to be used as part
17    of speed enforcement efforts.]
18        (4)    (i)     The department may promulgate regulations for
19        the certification and use of LIDAR. In order to
20        facilitate the prompt implementation of this subsection,
21        the department may promulgate temporary regulations,
22        which shall not be subject to:
23                      (A)   Section 612 of The Administrative Code of
24               1929.
25                      (B)   Sections 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205 of the
26               Commonwealth Documents Law.
27                      (C)   Section 204(b) of the Commonwealth Attorneys
28               Act.
29                      (D)   The Regulatory Review Act.
30               (ii)    Temporary regulations adopted under this

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1         paragraph shall expire after three years or upon
2         promulgation of final regulations for this subsection,
3         whichever is sooner.
4     Section 5.    This act shall take effect as follows:
5         (1)   The amendment or addition of 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3362.1(b)
6     (2) and 3368(d)(7) shall take effect immediately.
7         (2)   This section shall take effect immediately.
8         (3)   The remainder of this act shall take effect in 180
9     days.




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