Use of lamps on vehicles when visibility is limited by climatic conditions and providing a penalty

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, no person may operate a motor vehicle upon a highway during hours of darkness unless the vehicle is equipped with headlamps and tail lamps. A person who violates this requirement may be required to pay a forfeiture of not less than $10 nor more than $200. Also under current law, no person may operate a vehicle upon a highway during hours of darkness unless any required headlamps, tail lamps, and clearance lamps on the vehicle are lighted. A person who violates this requirement may be required to pay a forfeiture of not less than $10 and not more than $20 for a first offense and not less than $25 nor more than $50 for a second or subsequent conviction within a year.

This bill provides that no person may operate a motor vehicle upon a highway when climatic conditions limit visibility such that objects on a highway are not clearly discernable at a distance of 500 feet from the front of a vehicle (a period of limited visibility) unless the motor vehicle is equipped with headlamps and tail lamps. This bill also provides that required headlamps, tail lamps, and clearance lamps be lighted during periods of limited visibility. A person who violates these provisions is subject to the same minimum and maximum forfeiture amounts that may be imposed for improper lighting equipment or improper use of these lamps during hours of darkness.

Who's behind it

6 senators are its authors⁠. 3 are Democrats and 3 are Republicans.

10 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.