H.B. 235

1

PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLES - MARKING
2 LIGHTS
3 2006 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Joseph G. Murray
6 Senate Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code by amending provisions related to
11 displaying lights on certain vehicles.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . provides that a person may not operate or move any vehicle or equipment on a
15 highway, other than a law enforcement vehicle, with a lamp or device that is
16 capable of displaying a blue light that is visible from directly in front of the center
17 of the vehicle; and
18 . makes technical changes.
19 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 41-6a-1616, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 2005
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

28 Section 1. Section 41-6a-1616 is amended to read:
29 41-6a-1616. High intensity beams -- Red or blue lights -- Flashing lights -- Color
30 of rear lights and reflectors.
31 (1) (a) Except as provided under Subsection (1)(b), under the conditions specified under
32 Subsection 41-6a-1603 (1)(a), a lighted lamp or illuminating device on a vehicle, which projects
33 a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of
34 the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle
35 stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
36 (b) The provisions of Subsection (1)(a) do not apply to head lamps, spot lamps,
37 auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, hazard warning lamps, and school bus warning lamps.
38 (c) A motor vehicle on a highway may not have more than a total of four lamps lighted
39 on the front of the vehicle including head lamps, auxiliary lamps, spot lamps, or any other lamp
40 if the lamp projects a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower.
41 (2) (a) Except for an authorized emergency vehicle and a school bus, a person may not
42 operate or move any vehicle or equipment on a highway with a lamp or device capable of
43 displaying a red [or blue] light that is visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle.
44 (b) Except for a law enforcement vehicle, a person may not operate or move any
45 vehicle or equipment on a highway with a lamp or device capable of displaying a blue light that
46 is visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle.
47 (3) A person may not use flashing lights on a vehicle except for:
48 (a) taillights of bicycles under Section 41-6a-1114 ;
49 (b) authorized emergency vehicles under rules made by the department under Section
50 41-6a-1601 ;
51 (c) turn signals under Section 41-6a-1604 ;
52 (d) hazard warning lights under Sections 41-6a-1608 and 41-6a-1611 ;
53 (e) school bus flashing lights under Section 41-6a-1302 ; and
54 (f) vehicles engaged in highway construction or maintenance under Section
55 41-6a-1617 .
56 (4) A person may not use a rotating light on any vehicle other than an authorized
57 emergency vehicle.

Legislative Review Note
as of 12-28-05 12:52 PM

Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel