H.B. 348

1

MOTOR VEHICLE LIGHT USAGE REQUIREMENTS
2 2011 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Kraig Powell
5 Senate Sponsor: ____________
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies the Traffic Code by amending provisions relating to the lighting
10 usage requirements when operating a motor vehicle on a highway.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . provides that an operator of a vehicle shall turn on the lights or lamps of the vehicle
14 on a highway when windshield wipers are activated due to fog, rain, hail, sleet, or
15 snow; and
16 . makes technical changes.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 41-6a-1603, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 41-6a-1603 is amended to read:
27 41-6a-1603. Lights and illuminating devices -- Duty to display -- Time.

28 (1) (a) The operator of a vehicle shall turn on the lamps or lights of the vehicle on a
29 highway [at any time] in each of the following instances:
30 (i) from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise [and at any other time];
31 (ii) when the operator has activated the vehicle's windshield wipers due to rain, hail,
32 sleet, snow, or fog; or
33 (iii) when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and
34 vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead.
35 (b) The lights, lighted lamps, and other lamps and illuminating devices under
36 Subsection (1)(a) shall be lighted as respectively required for different classes of vehicles,
37 subject to the exceptions for parked vehicles under Section 41-6a-1607 .
38 (2) Whenever a requirement is made as to distance from which certain lamps and
39 devices shall render objects visible or within which the lamps or devices shall be visible, the
40 provisions apply during the times specified under Subsection (1)[(a)] for a vehicle without load
41 on a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different
42 time or condition is expressly stated.
43 (3) Whenever a requirement is made as to the mounted height of lamps or devices it
44 shall mean from the center of the lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle
45 stands when the vehicle is without a load.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-8-11 1:16 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel