A. 
"When lighted lamps are required" means at any time from a half (1/2) hour after sunset to a half (1/2) hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearing discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred (500) feet ahead. Lighted lamps shall also be required any time the weather conditions required usage of the motor vehicle's windshield wipers to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner as defined in Section 340.140 of this Code. The provisions of this Section shall be interpreted to require lighted lamps during periods of fog even if usage of the windshield wipers is not necessary to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner.
[Ord. No. 4771 §1, 2-2-2015]
B. 
No person shall drive, move, park or be in custody of 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 hereinafter in this Article required. No person shall use on any vehicle any 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. 4771 §2, 2-2-2015]
Except as in this Article provided, every motor vehicle other than a motor-drawn vehicle and other than a motorcycle shall be equipped with at least two (2) 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) 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. Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlamps as in this Section required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spotlight 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 (1) time when upon a highway or City street.
A. 
Except as hereinafter provided, the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles other than motorcycles or motor-driven cycles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations and such lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:
1. 
There shall be an uppermost distribution of light or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least three hundred fifty (350) feet ahead for all conditions of loading.
2. 
There shall be a lowermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.
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 (75) feet ahead.
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 lamp 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 highway, shall also carry at the rear, either as part of the rear lamp or separately, at least one (1) 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, motor-drawn vehicle and omnibus with a capacity of more than six (6) passengers registered in this State after January 1, 1966, when operated on a highway shall also carry at the rear at least two (2) approved red reflectors, at least one (1) 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) 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 Article 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.
D. 
Any person who knowingly operates a motor vehicle without the lamps required in this Section in operable condition is guilty of an infraction.
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. 4947, 3-2-2020[1]]
Any motor vehicle may be equipped with neon underglow lights, not more than two (2) side cowl or fender lamps, which shall emit a white or yellow light without glare and all other light colors shall be prohibited. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one (1) running board courtesy lamp on each side thereof which shall emit a white or yellow light without glare. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with a backup lamp either separately or in combination with another lamp, except that no such backup lamp shall be continuously lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 4947 also changed the title of this Section to add "Underglow."
Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one (1) spotlamp but every lighted spotlamp shall be so aimed and used so as not to be dazzling or glaring to any person.
Headlamps, when lighted, shall exhibit lights substantially white in color; auxiliary lamps, cowllamps and spotlamps, 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.
Any lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle other than headlamps, spotlamps, 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 buses 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 Section 300.010 of this Title and on buses owned or operated by churches, mosques, synagogues, temples or other houses of worship, but are prohibited on other motor vehicles, motorcycles and motor-drawn vehicles except as a means for indicating a right or left turn.
At the times when lighted lamps are required, 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 headlamps as in this Article required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spotlamp 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 highway.
All vehicles, including agricultural machinery or implements, road machinery, road rollers, traction engines and farm tractors not in this Article 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 sides of such vehicle.
Any person who shall place or drive or cause to be placed or driven upon or along any State highway of this City any animal-driven vehicle whatsoever, whether in motion or at rest, shall after sunset to one-half (½) hour before sunrise have attached to every such vehicle at the rear thereof a red taillight 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 such 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 animal-drawn vehicle from the rear of a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet. In addition, any person who operates any such animal-driven vehicle during the hours between sunset and one-half (½) hour before sunrise shall have at least one (1) light flashing at all times the vehicle is on any highway of this City. Such light or lights shall be amber in the front and red in the back and shall be placed on the left side of the vehicle at a height of no more than six (6) feet from the ground and shall be visible from the front and the back of the vehicle at a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet. Any person violating the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of an ordinance violation.
A. 
Signaling Devices. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a horn, directed forward, or whistle in good working order capable of emitting a sound adequate in quantity and volume to give warning of the approach of such vehicle to other users of the highway and to pedestrians. Such signaling device shall be used for warning purposes only and shall not be used for making any unnecessary noise and no other sound-producing signaling device shall be used at any time.
B. 
Muffler Cutouts. Muffler cutouts shall not be used and no vehicle shall be driven in such manner or condition that excessive and unnecessary noises shall be made by its machinery, motor, signaling device or other parts or by any improperly loaded cargo. The motors of all motor vehicles shall be fitted with properly attached mufflers of such capacity or construction as to quiet the maximum possible exhaust noise as completely as is done in modern gas engine passenger motor vehicles. Any cutout or opening in the exhaust pipe between the motor and the muffler on any motor vehicle shall be completely closed and disconnected from its operating lever and shall be so arranged that it cannot automatically open, or be opened, or operated, while such vehicle is in motion.
C. 
Brakes. All motor vehicles, except motorcycles, shall be provided at all times with two (2) sets of adequate brakes kept in good working order and motorcycles shall be provided with one (1) set of adequate brakes kept in good working order.
D. 
Mirrors. All motor vehicles which are so constructed or loaded that the operator cannot see the road behind such vehicle by looking back or around the side of such vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so adjusted as to reveal the road behind and be visible from the operator's seat.
E. 
Projections On Vehicles. All vehicles carrying poles or other objects, which project more than five (5) feet from the rear of such vehicle, shall, during the period when lights are required by this Chapter, carry a red light at or near the rear end of the pole or other object so projecting. At other times a red flag or cloth, not less than sixteen (16) inches square, shall be displayed at the end of such projection.
F. 
Towlines. When one vehicle is towing another, the connecting device shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet. During the time that lights are required by Sections 307.020 to 307.120, RSMo., the required lights shall be displayed by both vehicles. Every towed vehicle shall be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, cable or equivalent device in addition to the primary coupling device, except that such secondary coupling device shall not be necessary if the connecting device is connected to the towing vehicle by a center-locking ball located over or nearly over the rear axle and not supported by the rear bumper of the towing vehicle. Such secondary safety connecting devices shall be of sufficient strength to control the towed vehicle in the event of failure of the primary coupling device. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to wreckers towing vehicles or to vehicles secured to the towing vehicle by a fifth-wheel type connection. The provisions of this Subsection shall also not apply to farm implements or to any vehicle which is not required to be registered.
G. 
Commercial Motor Vehicles And Trailers. When being operated on any highway, street or road of this City, commercial motor vehicles and trailers shall be equipped with adequate and proper brakes, lighting equipment, signaling devices, steering mechanisms, horns, mirrors, windshield wipers, tires, wheels, exhaust system, glazing, air pollution control devices, fuel tank and any other safety equipment required by the State in such condition so as to obtain a certificate of inspection and approval as required by the provisions of Section 307.360, RSMo.
H. 
Devices attached to or towed by motor vehicles for the purpose of transporting hay shall have the protruding parts raised or retracted when not in use to a position which will not cause injury or damage to persons or property in the vicinity of such device when on the highways, streets or roads of this City.
A. 
All motor vehicles and every trailer and semi-trailer operating upon the public highways, streets or roads of this City and carrying goods or material or farm products which may reasonably be expected to become dislodged and fall from the vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer as a result of wind pressure or air pressure and/or by the movement of the vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer shall have a protective cover or be sufficiently secured so that no portion of such goods or material can become dislodged and fall from the vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer while being transported or carried.
B. 
Operation of a motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer in violation of this Section shall be an ordinance violation and any person convicted thereof shall be punished as provided by Section 100.220 of this Code.
[Ord. No. 4425 §1, 9-18-2006]
A. 
Definitions.
1. 
As used in this Section, the term "truck" means a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained for the transportation of property.
2. 
As used in this Section, the term "passenger car" means every motor vehicle designed for carrying ten (10) persons or less and used for the transportation of persons; except that the term "passenger car" shall not include motorcycles, motorized bicycles, motortricycles and trucks with a licensed gross weight of twelve thousand (12,000) pounds or more.
B. 
Seat Belts.
1. 
Except as otherwise provided in this Section, each driver and front seat passenger of a passenger car manufactured after January, 1968, operated on a street or highway in the City shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt that meets Federal National Highway, Transportation and Safety Act requirements; except that a child less than sixteen (16) years of age shall be protected as required in Section 380.170 of this Chapter.
a. 
Vehicles may be stopped, inspected or detained solely to determine compliance with Subsection (B)(1) of this Section.
[Ord. No. 4725 §1, 8-19-2013; Ord. No. 5036, 6-6-2022]
2. 
The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable to:
a. 
Persons who have a medical reason for failing to have a seat belt fastened about his or her body;
b. 
Persons employed by the United States Postal Service while performing duties for that Federal agency which require frequent entry into and exit from their vehicles;
c. 
Nor persons operating or riding a motor vehicle being used in agricultural work-related activities.
3. 
Non-compliance with this Subsection shall not constitute probable cause for violation of any other provision of law.
4. 
Each driver who violates the provisions of Subsection 380.160(B) shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00) in amount. All other provisions of law and court rules to the contrary notwithstanding, no court costs may be imposed.
[Ord. No. 5036, 6-6-2022]
5. 
If there are more persons than there are seat belts in the enclosed area of a motor vehicle, then the driver and passengers are not in violation of this Section.
[Ord. No. 4425 §2, 9-18-2006]
A. 
Every person transporting a child under the age of sixteen (16) years on the streets or highways of the City of Dexter shall be responsible for transporting such child as follows:
1. 
Children less than four (4) years of age, regardless of weight, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child
2. 
Children weighing less than forty (40) pounds, regardless of age, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child;
3. 
Children at least four (4) years of age but less than eight (8) years of age, who also weigh at least forty (40) pounds but less than eighty (80) pounds and who are also less than four (4) feet, nine (9) inches tall, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat appropriate for that child.
4. 
Children at least eighty (80) pounds or children more than four (4) feet, nine (9) inches in height shall be secured by a vehicle safety belt or booster seat appropriate for that child.
5. 
Children eight (8) years of age but less than sixteen (16) years of age, regardless of weight or height, shall be secured by a vehicle safety belt or restraint system appropriate for that child.
6. 
A child who otherwise would be required to be secured in a booster seat may be transported in the back seat of a motor vehicle while wearing only a lap belt if the back seat of the motor vehicle is not equipped with a combination lap and shoulder belt for booster seat installation.
7. 
When transporting children in the immediate family when there are more children than there are seating positions in the enclosed area of a motor vehicle, the children who are not able to be restrained by a child safety restraint device appropriate for the child shall sit in the area behind the front seat of the motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is designed only for a front seat area. The driver transporting children referred to in this Subsection is not in violation of this Section.
A. 
Any person may operate a motor vehicle with front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver that have a sun-screening device, in conjunction with safety glazing material, that has a light transmission of thirty-five percent (35%) or more plus or minus three percent (3%) and a luminous reflectance of thirty-five percent (35%) or less plus or minus three percent (3%). Except as provided in Subsection (C) of this Section, any sun-screening device applied to front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver in excess of the requirements of this Section shall be prohibited without a permit pursuant to a physician's prescription as described below. A permit to operate a motor vehicle with front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver that have a sun-screening device, in conjunction with safety glazing material, which permits less light transmission and luminous reflectance than allowed under the requirements of this Subsection may be issued by the Department of Public Safety to a person having a serious medical condition which requires the use of a sun-screening device if the permittee's physician prescribes its use. The Director of the Department of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the issuance of the permit. The permit shall allow operation of the vehicle by any titleholder or relative within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, which shall mean a spouse, each grandparent, parent, brother, sister, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, child and grandchild of a person who resides in the household. Except as provided in Subsection (B) of this Section, all sun-screening devices applied to the windshield of a motor vehicle are prohibited.
B. 
This Section shall not prohibit labels, stickers, decalcomania or informational signs on motor vehicles or the application of tinted or solar-screening material to recreational vehicles as defined in Section 700.010, RSMo., provided that such material does not interfere with the driver's normal view of the road. This Section shall not prohibit factory-installed tinted glass, the equivalent replacement thereof or tinting material applied to the upper portion of the motor vehicle's windshield which is normally tinted by the manufacturer of motor vehicle safety glass.
C. 
Any vehicle licensed with a historical license plate shall be exempt from the requirements of this Section.
D. 
Any person who violates the provisions of this Section is guilty of an ordinance violation.
A. 
Every person operating or riding as a passenger on any motorcycle or motortricycle, as defined in this Title, upon any highway of this City shall wear protective headgear at all times the vehicle is in motion. The protective headgear shall meet reasonable standards and specifications established by the Director of Revenue.
B. 
The penalty for failure to wear protective headgear as required by Subsection (A) of this Section shall be deemed an infraction for which a fine not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) may be imposed. Notwithstanding all other provisions of law and court rules to the contrary, no court costs shall be imposed upon any person due to such violation. No points shall be assessed pursuant to Section 302.302, RSMo., for a failure to wear such protective headgear.
[1]
Editor's Note: This Section previously pertained to the use of headgear while operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or motortricycle. However, the authorizing Statute, § 302.020, RSMo., was revised by HB1963 in the 2020 Legislative Session to preempt any political subdivision from imposing protective headgear requirements on the operator or passenger of a motorcycle or motortricycle. This Section was repealed 9-8-2020 by Ord. No. 4971.
No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any road or highway of this City between the first (1st) day of April and the first (1st) day of November while the motor vehicle is equipped with tires containing metal or carbide studs.
A. 
No metal-tired vehicle shall be operated over any of the improved highways of this City, except over highways constructed of gravel or claybound gravel, if such vehicle has on the periphery of any of the road wheels any lug, flange, cleat, ridge, bolt or any projection of metal or wood which projects radially beyond the tread or traffic surface of the tire unless the highway is protected by putting down solid planks or other suitable material or by attachments to the wheels so as to prevent such vehicles from damaging the highway, except that this prohibition shall not apply to tractors or traction engines equipped with what is known as caterpillar treads when such caterpillar does not contain any projection of any kind likely to injure the surface of the road. Tractors, traction engines and similar vehicles may be operated which have upon their road wheels "V" shaped, diagonal or other cleats arranged in such manner as to be continuously in contact with the road surface if the gross weight on the wheels per inch of width of such cleats or road surface, when measured in the direction of the axle of the vehicle, does not exceed eight hundred (800) pounds.
B. 
No tractor, tractor engine or other metal-tired vehicle weighing more than four (4) tons, including the weight of the vehicle and its load, shall drive onto, upon or over the edge of any improved highway without protecting such edge by putting down solid planks or other suitable material to prevent such vehicle from breaking off the edges of the pavement.
C. 
Any person violating this Section, whether operating pursuant to a permit or not or who shall willfully or negligently damage a highway, shall be liable for the amount of such damage caused to any highway, bridge, culvert or sewer and any vehicle causing such damage shall be subject to a lien for the full amount of such damage, which lien shall not be superior to any duly recorded or filed chattel mortgage or other lien previously attached to such vehicle; the amount of such damage may be recovered in any action in any court of competent jurisdiction.
A. 
As used in this Section, the term "truck" means a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained for the transportation of property.
B. 
No person shall operate any truck, as defined in Subsection (A) of this Section, with a licensed gross weight of less than twelve thousand (12,000) pounds on any highway which is part of the State or Federal highway system or when such truck is operated within the corporate limits of the City when any person under eighteen (18) years of age is riding in the unenclosed bed of such truck. No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall ride in the unenclosed bed of such truck when the truck is in operation.
C. 
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
1. 
Any employee engaged in the necessary discharge of the employee's duties where it is necessary to ride in the unenclosed bed of the truck;
2. 
Any person while engaged in agricultural activities where it is necessary to ride in the unenclosed bed of the truck;
3. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck while such truck is being operated in a parade, caravan or exhibition which is authorized by law;
4. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck has installed a means of preventing such person from being discharged or such person is secured to the truck in a manner which will prevent the person from being thrown, falling or jumping from the truck;
5. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is being operated solely for the purpose of participating in a special event and it is necessary that the person ride in such unenclosed bed due to a lack of available seating. "Special event", for the purposes of this Section, is a specific social activity of a definable duration which is participated in by the person riding in the unenclosed bed;
6. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is being operated solely for the purposes of providing assistance to, or ensuring the safety of, other persons engaged in a recreational activity; or
7. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is the only legally titled, licensed and insured vehicle owned by the family of the person riding in the unenclosed bed and there is insufficient room in the passenger cab of the truck to accommodate all passengers in the truck. For the purposes of this Section, the term "family" shall mean any persons related within the first degree of consanguinity.
A. 
No person shall operate any passenger motor vehicle upon the public streets or highways of this City, the body of which has been altered in such a manner that the front or rear of the vehicle is raised at such an angle as to obstruct the vision of the operator of the street or highway in front or to the rear of the vehicle.
B. 
Every motor vehicle which is licensed in this State and operated upon the public streets or highways of this City shall be equipped with front and rear bumpers if such vehicle was equipped with bumpers as standard equipment. This Subsection shall not apply to motor vehicles designed or modified primarily for off-highway purposes while such vehicles are in tow or to motorcycles or motor-driven cycles or to motor vehicles registered as historic motor vehicles when the original design of such vehicles did not include bumpers nor shall the provisions of this Subsection prohibit the use of drop bumpers. Maximum bumper heights of both the front and rear bumpers of motor vehicles shall be determined by weight category of gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) measured from a level surface to the highest point of the bottom of the bumper when the vehicle is unloaded and the tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. Maximum bumper heights are as follows:
Maximum Front Bumper Height
Maximum Rear Bumper Height
Motor vehicles except commercial motor vehicles
22 inches
22 inches
Commercial motor vehicles (GVWR) 4,500 lbs. and under
24 inches
26 inches
4,501 lbs. through 7,500 lbs.
27 inches
29 inches
7,501 lbs. through 9,000 lbs.
28 inches
30 inches