1. (a) General rule.— Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with section 3361 (relating to driving vehicle at safe speed), the limits specified in this section or established under this subchapter shall be maximum lawful speeds and no person shall drive a vehicle at a speed in excess of the following maximum limits:

   1. (1) 35 miles per hour in any urban district.
   2. (1.1) 65 miles per hour or 70 miles per hour for all vehicles on freeways where the department has posted a 65-miles-per-hour or 70-miles-per-hour speed limit.

   3. (1.2) 25 miles per hour in a residence district if the highway:

      1. (i) is not a numbered traffic route; and
      2. (ii) is functionally classified by the department as a local highway.
   4. (2) 55 miles per hour in other locations.
   5. (3) Any other maximum speed limit established under this subchapter.

2. (b) Posting of speed limit.—

   1. (1) No maximum speed limit established under subsection (a)(1), (1.2) or (3) shall be effective unless posted on fixed or variable official traffic-control devices erected in accordance with regulations adopted by the department which regulations shall require posting at the beginning and end of each speed zone and at intervals not greater than one-half mile.
   2. (2) No maximum speed limit established under subsection (a)(1.1) shall be effective unless posted on fixed or variable official traffic-control devices erected after each interchange on the portion of highway on which the speed limit is in effect and wherever else the department shall determine.

3. (c) Penalty.—

   1. (1) Any person violating this section is guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of:

      1. (i) $42.50 for violating a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour or higher; or
      2. (ii) $35 for violating any other maximum speed limit.

   2. (2) Any person exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than five miles per hour shall pay an additional fine of $2 per mile for each mile in excess of five miles per hour over the maximum speed limit.

      2014 Amendment. Act 23 amended subsec. (a)(1.1).

      2013 Amendment. Act 89 amended subsecs. (a) and (c). See the preamble to Act 89 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to legislative findings and declarations.

(June 13, 1995, P.L.57, No.9, eff. 30 days; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1126, No.151, eff. 60 days; June 26, 2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days; Nov. 25, 2013, P.L.974, No.89, eff. imd.; Mar. 19, 2014, P.L.361, No.23, eff. imd.)

1998 Amendment. Act 151 amended subsec. (b)(1) and added subsec. (a)(1.2).

1995 Amendment. See section 4 of Act 9 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to report on effect of increased speed limit.

Cross References. Section 3362 is referred to in sections 1535, 1538, 3326, 3363, 3370, 3371, 3716, 6108, 6109, 6506 of this title.