When operating a motor vehicle at night approaching a vehicle headed
in the opposite direction, if a driver does not lower the high beams,
is it a ticketable offense.  If yes please cite the approptiate code
and any exceptions that may apply. If no please cite same.

Here is the applicable portion of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code:

"§ 4306. Use of multiple-beam road lighting equipment.

(a) Approaching an oncoming vehicle.--Whenever the driver of a vehicle
approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, the driver shall use
the low beam of light.

(b) Approaching a vehicle from rear.--Whenever the driver of a vehicle
approaches another vehicle from the rear within 300 feet, the driver
shall use the low beam of light.

(c) Exception.-- 

An emergency vehicle which is equipped with a flashing headlamp system
that conforms to regulations promulgated by the department shall be
exempt from the provisions of this section only when the vehicle is
being used pursuant to the provisions of section 4571(e) (relating to
visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles).

Nothing in this section shall limit drivers from flashing high beams
at oncoming vehicles as a warning of roadway emergencies or other
dangerous or hazardous conditions ahead."

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes: THE VEHICLE CODE (TITLE 75)
http://members.aol.com/StatutesPA/75.Cp.43.html

My Google search strategy:

Google Web Search: pennsylvania "motor vehicle code"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pennsylvania+%22motor+vehicle+code%22

Please keep in mind that Google Answers is not an authoritative source
of legal advice; the material I've posted above is for informational
purposes, and should not be viewed as a substitute for the services of
a legal professional.

I hope this is precisely what you need. If anything is unclear or
incomplete, please request clarification; I'll be glad to offer
further assistance with this question before you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

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Request for Answer Clarification by highst8ks-ga on 18 Jun 2005 08:12 PDT

Thanks, pretty much what I was looking for.  Just a couple of
questions please.  Can a police officer issue a ticket for faliure to
reduce the high beams, and what is the fine?    Thanks again.

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 18 Jun 2005 10:30 PDT

Since violation of Section 4306 of the Vehicle Code (using high beam
lights in close proximity to other vehicles) is a citable offense,
police could issue a ticket (a warning is probably more likely,
however).

According to this document from the late 1990s, the fine for violating
Section 4306 is $25. It is, of course, possible that this may have
been raised, but this was the most recent mention I could find on the
Web.

http://www.courts.state.pa.us/OpPosting/Supreme/out/J-255-98mo.pdf

~pinkfreud

Timely and accurate response