SB 249

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 weather 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.