[Traf. Code § 53a]
No person shall drive or move, and no owner shall cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition or is so loaded as to endanger any person or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such equipment, in proper condition and adjustment, as is required by this article, or which is equipped in any manner in violation of this article.
[Traf. Code § 87b; amended 7-16-1979 by Ord. No. 1167]
Any police officer is hereby authorized, on reasonable grounds shown, to stop any motor vehicle and inspect the same, and if any defects are found, to issue the appropriate civil or criminal citation or arrest if permitted by law.
[Traf. Code § 53c]
A. 
Every vehicle upon a street within this City at 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 street at a distance of 500 feet ahead, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices, as hereinafter respectively required in this article for different classes of vehicles. When lighted lamps and illuminated devices are required by law, no vehicle shall be operated upon any street of this City with only the parking lights illuminated on the front of the vehicle.
B. 
Whenever a requirement is declared in this article as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in Subsection A of this section, upon a straight, level, unlighted street under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
C. 
Whenever a requirement is declared in this article as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands, when such vehicle is without a load.
Any lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than head lamps, spot lamps, auxiliary lamps or flashing front direction signals, which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 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 75 feet from the vehicle.
[Traf. Code § 53c]
A. 
Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, shall be equipped with at least two head lamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.
B. 
Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this article.
C. 
Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle, shall be located at a height, measured from the center of the head lamp, of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.
D. 
Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein 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 300 candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time, when upon a street.
E. 
Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 24 inches above the level surface on which the vehicle stands. Every such auxiliary driving lamp shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.
A. 
Except as provided in § 36-49, the head lamps, or the auxiliary driving lamps, or combinations thereof, on motor vehicles shall be so arranged that selection may be made between distributions of light projected to different elevations, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
(1) 
Head lamps shall in all cases emit a white light. Auxiliary lamps may emit either a white or amber light.
(2) 
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 350 feet ahead for all conditions of loading.
(3) 
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 100 feet ahead, and 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.
(4) 
Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, which has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator as required by state law [MSA § 9.2399; MCLA § 257.699]. Such indicator shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlamps is in use and shall not otherwise be lighted. Such indicator shall be so designed and located that, when lighted, it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.
B. 
Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a highway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in § 36-45, the driver 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; provided, however, whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light specified in Subsection A(3) above shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.
A. 
Head lamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented by auxiliary driving lamps shall be permitted on motor vehicles, as provided by state law [MSA § 9.2401; MCLA § 257.701], in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment specified in § 36-48, if the single distribution of light complies with the following requirements and limitations:
(1) 
The 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 25 feet ahead, project higher than a level of five inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes, and in no case higher than 42 inches above the level on which the vehicle stands at a distance 75 feet ahead.
(2) 
The intensity shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 200 feet.
Any motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions specified in § 36-45, when equipped with two lighted lamps upon the front thereof capable of revealing persons and objects 75 feet ahead, in lieu of the lamps required in § 36-48 or 36-49; provided, however, that at no time shall it be operated at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour.
A. 
The head lamp or head lamps upon every motor-driven cycle may be of the single beam or multiple beam type, but in either event shall comply with the requirements and limitations as follows:
(1) 
Every head lamp on a motor-driven cycle shall be of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or a vehicle at a distance of not less than 100 feet, when the motor-driven cycle is operated at any speed less than 25 miles per hour, and at a distance of not less than 200 feet, when the motor-driven cycle is operated at a speed of 25 or more miles per hour.
(2) 
In the event the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a multiple beam head lamp or head lamps, the upper beam shall meet the minimum requirements set forth above and shall not exceed the limitations set forth in § 36-48A(2), and the lowermost beam shall meet the requirements applicable to a lowermost distribution of light, as set forth in § 36-48A(3).
(3) 
In the event the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a single beam lamp or lamps, said lamp or lamps shall be so aimed that, when the vehicle is loaded, none of the high-intensity portion of light, at a distance of 25 feet ahead, shall project higher than the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.
[Traf. Code § 53c]
A. 
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer and any other vehicle which is being drawn in a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one rear lamp mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required by this article, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.
B. 
Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate, with a white light, the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
All vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, not specifically required to be equipped with lamps by the provisions of this article shall, at the times specified in § 36-45, be equipped with at least one lighted lamp or lantern exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle and with a lamp or lantern exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear.
A. 
Generally. The provisions of this section relating to clearance and marker lamps, reflectors and stop lights shall apply, as stated, to vehicles of the type enumerated herein, when operated upon any street, and such vehicles shall be equipped as required and all lamp equipment required shall be lighted at the times mentioned in § 36-45, except that clearance and side marker lamps need not be lighted on any vehicle when operated within any municipality where there is sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the street at a distance of 500 feet.
B. 
Required equipment. In addition to other equipment required in this article, the following vehicles shall be equipped as herein stated under the conditions stated in Subsection A above:
(1) 
On every bus or truck, whatever its size, there shall be, on the rear, two red reflectors, one on each side, and one red or amber stop light.
(2) 
On every bus or truck 80 inches or more in overall width, in addition to the requirements of Subsection B(1) above:
(a) 
On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
(b) 
On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
(c) 
On each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
(d) 
On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
(3) 
On every truck tractor:
(a) 
On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
(b) 
On the rear, one stop light.
(4) 
On every trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of 3,000 pounds:
(a) 
On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
(b) 
On each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
(c) 
On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
(d) 
On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, also two reflectors, one at each side, and one stop light.
(5) 
On every pole trailer:
(a) 
On each side, one side marker lamp and one clearance lamp, which may be in combination, to show to the front, side or rear.
(b) 
On the rear of the pole trailer or load, two reflectors, one on each side.
(6) 
On every trailer or semitrailer weighing 3,000 pounds gross or less, on the rear, two reflectors, one on each side. If any trailer or semitrailer is so loaded or is of such dimensions as to obscure the stop light on the towing vehicle, then such vehicle shall also be equipped with one stop light.
(7) 
Every vehicle which has a maximum potential speed of 25 miles an hour, implement of husbandry, farm tractor or special mobile equipment shall be identified with a reflective device as follows:
(a) 
An approximately equilateral triangle in shape, at least 16 inches wide at the base and at least 14 inches in height; with a dark red border, at least 1 3/4 inches wide, of highly reflective beaded material;
(b) 
A center triangle, at least 12 1/4 inches on each side, of yellow-orange fluorescent material.
The device shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, broad base down, not less than three feet nor more than five feet above the ground and as near the center of the vehicle as possible. The use of this reflective device is restricted to use on slow moving vehicles specified in this section, and use of such reflective device on any other type of vehicle or stationary object on a street is prohibited.
(c) 
On the rear, at each side, red reflectors or reflectorized material visible from all distances within 500 to 50 feet to the rear, when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps.
C. 
Color of lighting devices. Front clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall display or reflect an amber color. Rear clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the rear or on the sides near the rear of a vehicle shall display or reflect a red color. All lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle shall display or reflect a red color, except the stop light or other signal device, which may be red or amber, and except that the light illuminating the license plate shall be white.
D. 
Mounting. Equipment required by this section shall be mounted as follows:
(1) 
Reflectors shall be mounted at a height not less than 20 inches and not higher than 60 inches above the ground on which the vehicle stands, except that if the highest part of the permanent structure of the vehicle is less than 20 inches, the reflector at such point shall be mounted as high as that part of the permanent structure will permit.
(2) 
The rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the bolster or load.
(3) 
Any required red reflector on the rear of a vehicle may be incorporated with the tail lamp, but such reflector shall meet all the other reflector requirements of this section.
(4) 
Clearance lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle in such a manner as to indicate its extreme width and as near the top thereof as practicable. Clearance lamps and side marker lamps may be mounted in combination, provided illumination is given as required herein with reference to both.
E. 
Visibility. Equipment required by this section shall comply with the following:
(1) 
Every reflector shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be readily visible at nighttime from all distances within 500 to 50 feet from the vehicle, when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps. Reflectors required to be mounted on the sides of the vehicle shall reflect the required color of light to the sides, and those mounted on the rear shall reflect a red color to the rear.
(2) 
Front and rear clearance lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at a distance of 500 feet from the front and rear, respectively, of the vehicle.
(3) 
Side marker lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at a distance of 500 feet from the side of the vehicle on which mounted.
Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any lamp (except tail lamps) need not be lighted which, by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination, would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination, but this shall not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lamps be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lamps, nor that all lights required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted.
[Traf. Code §§ 35, 53c]
Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps, except that a motorcycle shall not be equipped with more than one spot lamp. Every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the beam will be directed into the eyes of the approaching driver. Spot lamps may not emit other than either a white or amber light.
Lamps or reflectors on a vehicle, other than those expressly required or permitted by the provisions of this chapter, shall, if visible from the front, display or reflect a white or amber light; if visible from either side, display an amber light; and if visible from the rear, display or reflect a red light, except as otherwise provided by this article or state law.
A. 
A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps, which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
B. 
A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running-board courtesy lamp on each side, which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
C. 
Backing lights of red, amber or white may be mounted on the rear of a motor vehicle, if the switch controlling the light is so arranged that it may be turned on only when the vehicle is in reverse gear. The backing lights, when unlighted, shall be so covered or otherwise arranged as not to reflect objectionable glare in the eyes of drivers of vehicles approaching from the rear.
D. 
The use or possession of flashing, oscillating or rotating red, blue or amber lights is prohibited except under the following circumstances:
(1) 
Publicly owned police vehicles shall be equipped with flashing, rotating or oscillating red or blue lights, for use in the performance of police duties.
(2) 
Publicly owned fire vehicles and ambulances available for public use or for use of the United States, the state or any unit thereof, whether publicly or privately owned, shall be equipped with flashing, rotating or oscillating red lights and used as required for safety.
(3) 
School buses shall be equipped with flashing red lights and shall activate the lights only when the school bus is stopped on the highway for the purpose of permitting school children to board or alight therefrom.
(4) 
Private motor vehicles authorized by the department of state police owned by volunteer or paid firemen may be equipped with flashing, rotating or oscillating red lights for use when responding to an authorized emergency call, if the flashing, rotating or oscillating red lights are mounted on the roof section of the vehicle, either as a permanent installation or by means of suction cups or magnets, and are clearly visible in a 360° arc from a distance of 500 feet, when in use.
(5) 
Flashing, rotating or oscillating amber lights, placed in such a position as to be visible throughout an arc of 360°, shall be used by state, county or municipal vehicles engaged in the removal of ice, snow or other material from the highway and in other operations designed to control ice and snow.
(6) 
Vehicles used to perform public utility services, automobile service cars and wreckers, vehicles engaged in authorized highway repair or maintenance, vehicles of peace officers, vehicles operated by rural letter carriers and farm tractors may be equipped with flashing, rotating or oscillating amber lights. The flashing, rotating or oscillating amber lights shall not be activated except in those circumstances that the warning produced by the light is required for public safety.
(7) 
Police vehicles, ambulances and fire vehicles may display a flashing, rotating or oscillating white light in conjunction with an authorized emergency light, as prescribed in this section.
E. 
Only police vehicles which are publicly owned shall be equipped with a flashing, oscillating or rotating blue light which, when activated, shall be visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet in a 360° arc.
F. 
A person shall not sell, loan or otherwise furnish any flashing, rotating or oscillating blue or red light to any person, except a duly constituted police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, volunteer or paid fireman or volunteer ambulance driver of the state, or a county or municipality within the state, or a person engaged in the business of operating an ambulance or ambulance service.
G. 
This section shall not be construed to prohibit, restrict or limit the use of lights authorized or required under §§ 36-61 and 36-62.
[Traf. Code § 5]
Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed, at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified in § 36-45, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear, such light or lantern to be in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time, there shall be displayed, at the extreme rear end of such load, a red flag or cloth, not less than 12 inches square and so hung that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear.
Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a street, whether attended or unattended, during the times mentioned in § 36-45, there shall be displayed upon the left side of such vehicle one or more lamps projecting a white or amber light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle and projecting a red light visible under like conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.
A. 
Any motor vehicle may be equipped and, when required under this section, shall be equipped with the following signal lamps or devices:
(1) 
A stop lamp on the rear which shall emit a red or amber light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake and which may, but need not be, incorporated with a tail tamp.
(2) 
A lamp or mechanical signal device which conveys an intelligible signal or warning to another driver approaching from the rear.
B. 
A stop lamp shall be capable of being seen and distinguished from a distance of 100 feet to the rear, both during normal sunlight and at nighttime, and a signal lamp or lamps indicating intention to turn shall be capable of being seen and distinguished during daytime and nighttime from a distance of 100 feet both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop lamp or other signal lamps, such lamp or lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light.
C. 
All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times mentioned in § 36-45.
D. 
No person shall sell or offer for sale or operate on the highways any vehicle manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1955, except those exempted from certificate of title requirements under the provisions of state law, unless it is equipped with mechanical or electrical turn signals meeting the requirements of this section. This subsection shall not apply to any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.
E. 
No person shall sell or offer for sale or operate on the highways any vehicle manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1965, except those exempted from certificate of title requirements under the provisions of state law, unless it is equipped with two rear stop lamps; provided that a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall be required to have one rear stop lamp.
Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing, and when so equipped, may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this article. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
[Traf. Code § 53d]
A. 
A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, when operated upon a street or highway, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle, including two separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to apply the brakes to at least two wheels. If these two separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two wheels.
B. 
A motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, when operated upon a street or highway, shall be equipped with at least two brakes, one on the front wheel and one on the rear wheel, which may be operated by hand or foot.
C. 
A trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more, when operated upon a street or highway, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle and designed so as to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab.
D. 
A new motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer shall be equipped with service brakes upon all wheels of the vehicle, except a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, and except that a semitrailer of less than 1,500 pounds gross weight need not be equipped with brakes. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a trailer or semitrailer owned by a farmer and used exclusively in connection with the farming operations of the farmer and not used for hire. A truck or truck tractor which has three or more axles need not have brakes on the front wheels. A truck or truck tractor which is equipped with at least two steerable axles shall require brakes on one of the steerable axles.
E. 
In any combination of motor-driven vehicles, means shall be provided for applying the rearmost trailer brakes, for a trailer equipped with brakes, in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicle and developing the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; or means shall be provided for applying braking effort first on the rearmost trailer equipped with brakes; or both of the above means capable of being used alternatively may be employed.
F. 
A motor vehicle and combination of vehicles, except pole trailers, motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, shall be equipped with parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade on which it is operated, under all conditions of loading, on a surface free from snow, ice or loose material. The parking brakes shall be capable of being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements by the driver's muscular effort or by spring action or by equivalent means. Their operation may be assisted by the service brakes or other source of power, if failure of the service brake actuation system or other power assisting mechanism will not prevent the parking brakes from being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements. The parking brakes shall be so designed that, when once applied, they shall remain applied with the required effectiveness despite exhaustion of any source of energy or leakage of any kind. The same brake drums, brake shoes and lining assemblies brake shoe anchors and mechanical brake shoe actuation mechanism normally associated with the wheel brake assemblies may be used for both the service brakes and the parking brakes. If the means of applying the parking brakes and the service brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part shall not leave the vehicle without operative brakes.
G. 
The brake shoes operating within or upon the drums of the wheels of a motor vehicle may be used for both service and hand operation.
H. 
A motor vehicle or combination of motor-drawn vehicles shall be capable, at all times and under all conditions of loading, of being stopped, on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material, within the distances specified below, or shall be capable of being decelerated at a sustained rate corresponding to these distances upon initial application of the service (foot) brake.
Feet to Stop From 20 Miles Per Hour
Deceleration
(feet per second)
Vehicles or combination of vehicles having brakes on all wheels
30
14
Vehicles or combination of vehicles not having brakes on all wheels
40
10.7
I. 
All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to operate as equally as practicable with respect to the wheels on the opposite side of the vehicle.
No person shall have for sale, or sell or offer for sale within the City, for use in motor vehicle brake systems, any hydraulic brake fluid which does not meet the minimum specifications of the society of automotive engineers for heavy duty brake fluid, as prescribed March 1, 1960.
[Traf. Code §§ 53e, 53i]
A. 
A motor vehicle, including a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, when operated upon a street or highway, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible, under normal conditions, from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but a horn or other warning device shall not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but shall not otherwise use the horn when upon a street or highway.
B. 
A vehicle shall not be equipped with, nor shall a person use upon a vehicle, a siren, whistle or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
C. 
It is permissible, but not required, that a commercial vehicle be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal.
D. 
An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, air horn or bell capable of emitting sound audible, under normal conditions, from a distance of not less than 500 feet, but the siren shall not be used, except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law. In those cases, the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof.
[Traf. Code § 53b]
A. 
Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke, and no person shall operate on the streets a motor vehicle equipped with a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device, or a device for the purpose of causing flame or smoke to be emitted from a vehicle, except a highway maintenance vehicle.
B. 
The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
[Traf. Code § 53b]
No person shall introduce any gasoline, foreign material or obstruction into the muffler or exhaust pipe of any motor vehicle which causes or is capable of causing exhaust gases to ignite, burn or flash in any manner or form.
[Traf. Code § 53g]
A. 
A vehicle or special mobile equipment shall not be operated on the streets of this City on metal or plastic track or on tires which are equipped with metal that comes in contact with the surface of the road or which have a partial contact of metal or plastic with the surface of the road, except as provided in this section.
B. 
A tire on a vehicle moved on a street shall not have on its periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, spike or other protuberances, of a material other than rubber, which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the street, and except that it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon a vehicle, when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, and except as provided in Subsections C and D.
C. 
A pneumatic tire may have embedded in it wire not to exceed 0.075 inches in diameter, if so constructed that, under no conditions, shall the per cent of metal in contact with the highway exceed 5% of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, except that during the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of any such tire the metal in contact with the highway shall not exceed 20% of such area.
D. 
Tires with studs or other traction devices, which conform to the standards prescribed in the rules promulgated by the state department of highways pursuant to state law [MSA § 9.2410; MCLA § 257.710], may be used in the City.
E. 
Vehicles driven by a U.S. rural postman and any law enforcement officer, while in the performance of his duties, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
Every commercial vehicle, except truck tractors traversing between terminals at a speed not to exceed 25 miles per hour, and every combination of a commercial vehicle and trailer or semitrailer, shall be so constructed or equipped, or so operated, as to bar water or other road surface substances thrown from the rear wheels of such vehicle or combination at tangents exceeding 22 1/2°, measured from the road surface. If a flap-type device is used, it shall not have attached any type of lamp, reflective material or reflecting buttons, nor shall such device extend beyond the maximum legal width of the vehicle.
[Traf. Code § 53h]
A. 
No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a street which vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent the driver from obtaining a view of the street to the rear by looking backward from the driver's position, unless such vehicle is equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the street to the rear of such vehicle. In addition, all motor vehicles shall be equipped with an outside rearview mirror, on the driver's side, which shall be positioned to give the driver a rear-viewing angle from the driver's side of the vehicle.
B. 
Rearview mirrors may be positioned on the helmet or visor worn by the operator of a motorcycle, if the helmet or visor is securely attached to the head of the operator.
C. 
Every commercial vehicle of 1/2 ton capacity or more, operating upon a street, shall be equipped with two mirrors, one on each side, so adjusted that the operator shall have a clear view of the street behind such commercial vehicle.
A. 
A motor vehicle shall not be operated on the streets of the City, unless it is equipped with a windshield of sufficient dimensions to protect the driver and occupants from insects, other airborne objects and highway surface water and debris, when such motor vehicle is moving forward. Farm tractors, other implements of husbandry and historic vehicles are exempt from this requirement.
B. 
When a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle operated on a street in excess of 35 miles per hour is not equipped with a windshield, the operator shall wear goggles, with transparent lenses, or a transparent face shield or eye glasses, which goggles, eye glasses or face shield shall be of shatter resistant material and of sufficient size to protect his eyes against insects, other airborne material and highway surface water and debris.
[Traf. Code § 53f]
A. 
The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of a vehicle. Such wiper shall be maintained in good working order.
B. 
No commercial vehicle licensed as such shall be operated at any time between December 15 and March 15, both dates inclusive, unless it is equipped with a hot air windshield defroster or an electrically heated windshield or such other scientific method that may be devised so long as same is heated and maintained in operable condition at all times.
C. 
No motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1956, shall be operated, unless it is equipped with a windshield washer maintained in operable condition at all times and capable of cleaning the windshield in such a fashion as to leave the driver with a clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.
[Traf. Code § 52E; amended 6-5-1989 by Ord. No. 1462]
A. 
No person shall operate any motor vehicle with:
(1) 
A window so damaged as to obstruct the operator's view;
(2) 
A window so covered with ice, snow or frost so as to obstruct the operator's view;
(3) 
A sign, poster, nontransparent material or window application upon the front windshield, sidewings or side windows of such vehicle so as to obstruct the operator's view, other than a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law;
(4) 
Reflective film or nonreflective film upon or in the front windshield, the side windows immediately adjacent and forward of the operator or front passenger, except that a tinted film may be used along the top edge of the windshield and the side windows or side wings immediately adjacent to the operator or front passenger if the material does not extend more than four inches from the top of the windshield or lower than the shade band, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield;
(5) 
A rear window or side window to the rear of the operator composed of, covered by or treated with a material that creates a total solar reflectance of 35% or more in the visible light range, including a gold or silver reflective film;
(6) 
A dangling ornament or other suspended object, except as is authorized by law, which obstructs the vision of the operator of the vehicle.
B. 
A person shall not operate a motor vehicle if operator visibility through the rear window is obstructed, unless the vehicle is equipped with two rearview mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the operator has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.
C. 
This section shall not apply to:
(1) 
The use of draperies, louvres or other special window treatment, except those specifically designated in this section, on the rear window or a side window to the rear of the operator if the vehicle is equipped with two outside rearview mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the operator has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle;
(2) 
The use of a nonreflective, smoked or tinted glass, nonreflective film, perforated window screen or other decorative window application on the rear window or a side window to the rear of the operator;
(3) 
Placement of a necessary certificate or sticker that does not obstruct the operator's clear view of the roadway or any intersecting roadway;
(4) 
A vehicle registered in another state, territory, commonwealth of the United States or another country or province;
(5) 
A special window treatment or application determined necessary by a physician for the protection of a person who is light- or photo-sensitive if the owner or operator of a motor vehicle has in possession a letter, signed by a physician, indicating the need for the special window treatment or application as a medical necessity. However, the special window treatment or application shall not interfere with or obstruct the operator's clear vision of the highway or an intersecting highway.
No motor vehicle shall be operated on the streets of the City unless it is equipped with safety glass as required by the Michigan Vehicle Code.
[Amended 6-5-1989 by Ord. No. 1461]
A. 
No person shall sell, offer or keep for sale, or install for use in any motor vehicle to be operated in the City any safety belt or safety restraining device, or attachments thereto unless of a type conforming to standards and specifications established by rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of the Michigan State Police.
B. 
No private passenger vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1965, shall be offered for sale in this City unless the vehicle is equipped with safety belts for the use of the driver and one other front-seat passenger. All safety belts and bolts and brackets used in the installation of safety belts shall meet the minimum specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers, as prescribed on April 1, 1963. This subsection shall not apply to trucks, buses, hearses, motorcycles or motor-driven cycles.
C. 
Each operator and front-seat passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in the City shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt, except that a child less than four years of age shall be protected as required by state law. Each operator of a motor vehicle transporting a child four years of age or more, but less than 16 years of age, in the front seat of the motor vehicle shall secure the child in a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.
D. 
The requirements of Subsection C shall not apply to an operator or passenger of: A motor vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1965, a bus, a motorcycle, a moped, a motor vehicle if the operator or passenger possesses a written verification from a physician that the operator or the passenger is unable to wear a safety belt for physical or medical reasons, a commercial or United States Postal vehicle which makes frequent stops for the purpose of pickup or delivery of goods or services, a motor vehicle operated by a rural carrier of the United States Postal Service while serving his or her postal route; nor shall the requirements of Subsection C apply to the passenger of a school bus.
E. 
Enforcement of this section shall be accomplished only as a secondary action when an operator of a motor vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation of another section of the City of Kalamazoo Traffic Code or state law.
A. 
Any person operating any vehicle transporting any explosive as a cargo or part of a cargo upon a City street shall at all times comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Such vehicle shall be marked or placarded on each side and the rear with the word "Explosive" in letters not less than eight inches high, or there shall be displayed on the rear of such vehicle a red flag, not less than 24 inches square, marked with the word "Danger" in white letters six inches high.
(2) 
Such vehicle shall be equipped with not less than two fire extinguishers, of the type and capacity prescribed by the Commissioner of State Police, filled and ready for immediate use and carried in a place on the vehicle which is most certain to be conveniently accessible under emergency conditions.
[Traf. Code § 52f]
No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast, which is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat or which is visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle.
[Traf. Code § 52g]
No owner shall display upon any part of his vehicle, or knowingly permit the display thereon, of any official designation, sign or insignia of any public or quasi-public corporation, municipal, state or national department or government subdivision, without authority of such agency.
[Traf. Code § 54]
No person shall drive or move or cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any street any vehicle of width, height, length or weight in excess of the limitations governing size and weight specified in the Michigan Vehicle Code.
[Traf. Code §§ 50, 83a]
A. 
The Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to prohibit the use of any roadway by trucks or other commercial vehicles, and to impose limitations as to the weight thereof on designated streets where, in his opinion, the public safety is concerned. Such prohibitions and limitations shall not become effective until notice thereof is given by means of appropriate signs placed on such streets.
B. 
When signs are erected giving notice thereof, no person shall operate or stop, stand or park any truck or commercial vehicle with a gross weight in excess of the amounts specified thereon at any time upon any of the streets or parts of streets on which such signs have been posted.
[P.&L. Code § PL706; Traf. Code § 45]
A. 
No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any street, unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent its contents from dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, by himself or by his agent or employee, to drive or propel any vehicle loaded above the side or end boards with ashes, sawdust, shavings, bricks, cinders, coal, coke, paper, gravel, dirt, leaves, filth or rubbish of any description, along, upon, over or across any street or alley. The box on any vehicle so used shall be constructed with tight, close and sound boards, and in such manner as to prevent the scattering or dropping of the contents thereof on the streets or alleys. In case of carting or hauling along, upon, over or across any street or alley, any shavings, sawdust, dry ashes, mortar, dirt or other substance liable to be blown off by the wind, the same shall be covered and secured.
[P.&L. Code § PL706]
The owner of any vehicle permanently or temporarily used for carrying earth, ashes, shavings sawdust, coal, coke, cinders, gravel, dirt, leaves, filth, manure or rubbish of any description shall, while so in use, have his name legibly printed or painted on such vehicle, so that the same can be readily seen.
[P.&L. Code §§ PL702, PL703]
A. 
All oil delivery vehicles, wagons or tanks shall have securely fastened, under the taps or faucets attached thereto, an absolutely oiltight or watertight zinc-lined box or tray into which any drip or overflow shall flow. No such drip or overflow shall be permitted to fall upon any pavement and no receptacle for holding oil shall be placed on the pavement.
B. 
All motor vehicles shall be provided with an absolutely oiltight or watertight receptacle so placed that any drip or overflow from the motor shall fall into such receptacle. No such receptacle shall be emptied or allowed to drip or overflow upon any pavement.