1     
MOTOR VEHICLE LIGHT AMENDMENTS

2     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Judy Weeks Rohner

5     
Senate Sponsor: Ann Millner

6     Cosponsors:
7     Tyler Clancy
8     Joseph Elison
Tim Jimenez
Dan N. Johnson
Michael L. Kohler
Thomas W. Peterson
Stephen L. Whyte

9     

10     LONG TITLE
11     General Description:
12          This bill requires a vehicle operator to have the vehicle's lights or lamps illuminated
13     while the vehicle is being operated during certain times of day and driving conditions.
14     Highlighted Provisions:
15          This bill:
16          ▸     requires a vehicle operator to ensure the vehicle headlights are illuminated while the
17     vehicle is being operated on a highway any time:
18               •     from sunset to sunrise; and
19               •     when persons and vehicles are not clearly discernible at 1,000 feet ahead;
20          ▸     provides that a vehicle operator driving a vehicle with automated lights complies
21     with certain light requirements; and
22          ▸     makes technical changes.
23     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
24          None
25     Other Special Clauses:
26          None
27     Utah Code Sections Affected:

28     AMENDS:
29          41-6a-1603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 412
30     

31     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
32          Section 1. Section 41-6a-1603 is amended to read:
33          41-6a-1603. Lights and illuminating devices -- Duty to display -- Time.
34          (1) (a) The operator of a vehicle shall [turn on] ensure the lamps or lights of the vehicle
35     are illuminated while the vehicle is being operated on a highway at any time [from a half hour
36     after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when, due to]:
37          (i) from sunset to sunrise; or
38          (ii) [insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions,] when persons and
39     vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead[.] due to:
40          (A) insufficient light; or
41          (B) unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
42          (b) An operator of a vehicle driving with automated lights does not violate Subsection
43     (1)(a) if:
44          (i) the vehicle's automated light function is operable and engaged; and
45          (ii) the automated feature has not been overridden or adjusted.
46          [(b)] (c) The lights, lighted lamps, and other lamps and illuminating devices under
47     Subsection (1)(a) shall be lighted as respectively required for different classes of vehicles,
48     subject to the exceptions for parked vehicles under Section 41-6a-1607.
49          (2) Whenever a requirement is made as to distance from which certain lamps and
50     devices shall render objects visible or within which the lamps or devices shall be visible, the
51     provisions apply during the times specified under Subsection (1)(a) for a vehicle without load
52     on a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different
53     time or condition is expressly stated.
54          (3) Whenever a requirement is made as to the mounted height of lamps or devices it
55     shall mean from the center of the lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle

56     stands when the vehicle is without a load.
57          (4) A violation of this section is an infraction.