[Ord. No. 738 §90.265]
As used in Sections
378.010 —
378.170, unless the context requires another or different construction:
AUXILIARY LAMP
An additional lighting device on a motor vehicle used primarily
to supplement the head lamps in providing general illumination ahead
of a vehicle.
HEAD LAMP
A major lighting device capable of providing general illumination
ahead of a vehicle.
MOUNTING HEIGHT
The distance from the center of the lamp to the surface on
which the vehicle stands.
MULTIPLE-BEAM HEAD LAMPS
Head lamps or similar devices arranged so as to permit the
driver of the vehicle to use one of two or more distributions of light
on the road.
REFLECTOR
An approved device designed and used to give an indication
by reflected light.
SINGLE-BEAM HEAD LAMPS
Head lamps or similar devices arranged so as to permit the
driver of the vehicle to use but one distribution of light on the
way.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which a person or property is
or may be transported upon a way, excepting devices moved by human
power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
WHEN LIGHTED LAMPS ARE REQUIRED
Any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before
sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to
render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at
a distance of five hundred (500) feet ahead.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.270; Ord. No. 877 §1]
The subsequent provisions of this Chapter with respect to equipment and lights on vehicles shall not apply to agricultural machinery and implements, road machinery, road rollers, traction engines, motorized bicycles or farm tractors, except as made applicable in Sections
378.010 —
378.170.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.275]
No person shall drive or move any vehicle or combination of vehicles on any street or highway during the times when lighted lamps are required unless such vehicle or combination of vehicles displays lighted lamps and illuminating devices as required by Sections
378.010 —
378.170. No person shall use on any vehicle any State approved electric lamp or similar device unless the light source of such lamp or device complies with the conditions of approval as to focus and rated candlepower.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.280]
Except as in Sections
378.010 —
378.170 provided, every motor vehicle other than a motor-drawn vehicle and other than a motorcycle shall be equipped with at least two (2) State approved headlamps mounted at the same level with at least one (1) on each side of the front of the vehicle. Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not more than two (2) State approved headlamps. Every motorcycle equipped with a sidecar or other attachment shall be equipped with a lamp on the outside limit of such attachment capable of displaying a white light to the front.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.290]
Any motor vehicle need not be equipped with approved headlamps
provided that every such vehicle during the times when lighted lamps
are required is equipped with two (2) lighted lamps on the front thereof
displaying white or yellow lights without glare capable of revealing
persons and objects seventy-five (75) feet ahead; provided, however,
that no such motor vehicle shall be operated at a speed in excess
of twenty (20) miles per hour during the times when lighted lamps
are required.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.295]
Approved single-beam head lamps shall be so aimed that when
the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity portion of the
light shall at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead project higher
than a level of five (5) inches below the level of the center of the
lamp from which it comes, and in no case higher than forty-two (42)
inches above the level on which the vehicle stands at a distance of
seventy-five (75) feet ahead. The intensity shall be sufficient to
reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least two hundred
(200) feet.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.305]
Every person driving a motor vehicle equipped with multiple-beam
road lighting equipment, during the times when lighted lamps are required,
shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high
enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles
at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following
requirements and limitations; Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches
an oncoming vehicle within five hundred (500) feet or is within three
hundred (300) feet to the rear of another vehicle traveling in the
same direction, the driver shall use a distribution of light or composite
beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes
of the other driver, and in no case shall the high-intensity portion
which is projected to the left of the prolongation of the extreme
left side of the vehicle be aimed higher than the center of the lamp
from which it comes at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead,
and in no case higher than a level of forty-two (42) inches above
the level upon which the vehicle stands at a distance of seventy-five
(72) feet ahead.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.310; Ord. No. 881 §§1,2]
A. Every
motor vehicle and every motor-drawn vehicle shall be equipped with
at least two (2) rear lamps, not less than fifteen (15) inches or
more than seventy-two (72) inches above the ground upon which the
vehicle stands, which when lighted will exhibit a red light plainly
visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear. Either
such rear lamps or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed
as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration marker and
render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty (50) feet to the
rear. When the rear registration marker is illuminated by an electric
lamp other than the required rear lamps, all such lamps shall be turned
on or off only by the same control switch at all times.
B. Every
motorcycle registered in this State, when operated on a way, shall
also carry at the rear, either as part of the rear lamp or separately,
at least one approved red reflector, which shall be of such size and
characteristics and so maintained as to be visible during the times
when lighted lamps are required from all distances within three hundred
(300) feet to fifty (50) feet from such vehicle when directly in front
of a motor vehicle displaying lawful undimmed headlamps.
C. Every
new passenger car, new commercial motor vehicle, motordrawn vehicle
and omnibus with a capacity of more than six (6) passengers registered
in this State after January 1, 1966, when operated on a street or
way, shall also carry at the rear at least two (2) approved red reflectors,
at least one at each side, so designed, mounted on the vehicle and
maintained as to be visible during the times when lighted lamps are
required from all distances within five hundred (500) feet) to fifty
(50) feet from such vehicle when directly in front of a motor vehicle
displaying lawful undimmed headlamps. Every such reflector shall meet
the requirements of this Chapter and shall be mounted upon the vehicle
at a height not to exceed sixty (60) inches nor less than fifteen
(15) inches above the surface upon which the vehicle stands.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.315]
Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed three (3)
auxiliary lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twelve
(12) inches nor more than forty-two (42) inches above the level surface
upon which the vehicle stands.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.320]
Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one (1)
spot lamp but every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used so
as not to be dazzling or glaring to any person.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.325]
Headlamps, when lighted, shall exhibit lights substantially
white in color; auxiliary lamps, cowl lamps and spot lamps, when lighted,
shall exhibit lights substantially white, yellow or amber in color.
No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment, except a school
bus when used for school purposes or an emergency vehicle upon any
street or highway with any lamp or device thereon displaying a red
light visible from directly in front thereof.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.330]
Any lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle other than head lamps, spot lamps, front direction signals or auxiliary lamps which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than three hundred (300) candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than seventy-five (75) feet from the vehicle. Alternately flashing warning signals may be used on school busses when used for school purposes and on motor vehicles when used to transport United States mail from post offices to boxes of addressees thereof and on emergency vehicles as defined in Sections
310.060 and
310.070, but are prohibited on other motor vehicles, motorcycles and motor drawn vehicles except as a means for indicating a right or left turn.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.335]
At the times when lighted lamps are required by State law at
least two (2) lighted lamps shall be displayed, one (1) on each side
of the front of every motor vehicle except a motorcycle and except
a motor-drawn vehicle except when such vehicle is parked subject to
the provisions governing lights on parked vehicles. Whenever a motor
vehicle equipped with head lamps as in this Chapter required is also
equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp
on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than
three hundred (300) candlepower, not more than a total of four (4)
of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any
one time when upon a public way.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.340]
All vehicles, including agricultural machinery or implements,
road machinery, road rollers, traction engines and farm tractors not
in this Chapter specifically required to be equipped with lamps, shall
be equipped during the times when lighted lamps are required with
at least one (1) lighted lamp or lantern exhibiting a white light
visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of
such vehicle and with a lamp or lantern exhibiting a red light visible
from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear, and such lamps
and lanterns shall exhibit lights to the side of such vehicle.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.350]
Any person who shall place or drive or cause to be placed or
driven, upon or along any way any horse driven vehicle whatsoever,
whether in motion or at rest, shall after sunset to one-half hour
before sunrise have attached to every such vehicle at the rear thereof
a red tail light or a red reflecting device of not less than three
(3) inches in diameter of effective area or its equivalent in area.
When such device shall consist of reflecting buttons there shall be
no less than seven (7) of side buttons covering an area equal to a
circle with a three (3) inch diameter. The total subtended effective
angle of reflection of every such device shall be no less than sixty
degrees (60°) and the spread and efficiency of the reflected light
shall be sufficient for the reflected light to be visible to the driver
of any motor vehicle approaching such horse drawn vehicle from the
rear of a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet. Any person
violating the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.360]
Motor vehicles and equipment which are operated by any member of an organized Fire Department or ambulance association, whether paid or volunteer, may be operated on streets and highways as an emergency vehicle under the provisions of Section
310.060 and
310.070, while responding to a fire call or ambulance call or at the scene of a fire call or ambulance call and while using or sounding a warning siren and while using or displaying thereon fixed, flashing or rotating blue lights, but sirens and blue lights shall be used only in bona fide emergencies.
[Ord. No. 738 §90.365; Ord. No. 813 §1 —
3]
Any person violating any of the provisions of Sections
378.010 to
378.180 shall, upon conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. The term "person" shall mean and include any individual, association, joint stock company, co-partnership or corporation. Any person found guilty as described herein shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00).