Text Size:
A|
A|
A
Email
PrintQ: I think everyone by now has become familiar with the new law whereby you must turn on your headlights in a work zone. Do daytime running lights count as headlights in work zones? In other words, if my car is equipped with daytime running lights as so many are today, do I actually need to turn my headlights on when traveling through a work zone. I called several agencies including my local police department to find the answer to this question, but no one can give me a definitive answer.
Keith Bajura
FOREST HILLS
A: There is a problem with using daytime running lights to comply with the work zone law.
Steve Chizmar of PennDOT said daytime running lights shine at a reduced power. That's one reason you are required to turn on your headlights. Another reason is that when you turn on your headlights, your tail lights come on as well.
If you forget to turn on your lights, you won't get a ticket. That is considered a secondary offense. You must first be pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding before you can be ticketed and subject to a $25 fine for not turning your headlights on.
Q: I flew into Pittsburgh International Airport on June 4 and took a Yellow Cab to my home in Coraopolis, a distance of about nine miles. The amount on the meter was $20.25, which didn't bother me. What disturbed me was the fact that the driver told me there was an additional $6.25 surcharge (not on the meter) that I had to pay because he delivered me west of some Coraopolis Street. Is this a scam the cabbie was pulling or a companywide scam that Yellow Cab is perpetrating on an already captive audience?
Vince Chesno
CORAOPOLIS
A: Neither of the above, Vince. Verna Edmonds of the Public Utility Commission says you got hit with a "dead head" rate. That's the rate that the Yellow Cab Co. is allowed to charge for so-called dead miles.
Verna Edmonds of the Public Utility Commission explains dead miles as the miles the cab will have to travel without a return fare.
"In Yellow Cab's tariff that is filed with the PUC, " said Edmonds, "we approved that charge."
Edmonds said the company's meter rates should be posted. This kind of flat rate should be available on request.
"If you say show me, they should be able to show you," said Edmonds.
Q: What were the results of the Heinz Field household hazardous waste day? I arrived there at about 10:30 and it appeared from the line of vehicles that they were providing a much-needed service. While I was waiting in the queue of vehicles, I got to converse with one of the workers. He indicated that people were lined up at 8 a.m., waiting for the 9 a.m. start. It would be interesting to hear what the actual volume was.
George Baran
McCANDLESS
A: March 31 was a wet and busy day, George. The final count was about 1,400 cars dropping off about 230,000 pounds of household hazardous waste.
Dave Mazza, regional director of Pennsylvania Resources Council, said they got fewer people carrying more waste than expected. In the end, volunteers collected 100,000 pounds of latex paint, 80,000 pounds of oil-based paint and 14, 55-gallon drums of paint thinner. Lots of motor oil, antifreeze and pesticides will be safely disposed of as well.
"We are planning a number of other collections this year," said Mazza. "Westmoreland County is planning one on Sept. 20 at the fairgrounds."
Another collection is planned in Allegheny County, and Beaver and Armstrong counties are planning ones too. No dates yet.
Q: What's the number to call to check on the status of my IRS refund? We mailed it right before the deadline date of April 15 and still have received no check and no word.
Randi Brand
EDGEWOOD
A: You are definitely overdue, Randi. According to the IRS, you can expect your refund three weeks after e-filing or five weeks after paper filing with direct deposit. If you filed before April 15, you are pushing two months. To find out why, you can call the toll free IRS Refund Hotline at 1-800-829-1954 or check online at www.irs.gov.
