H.B. 258
LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL
6 Approved for Filing: B. Hess 6
6 01-20-23 9:11 AM 6
H.B. 258
1 MOTOR VEHICLE LIGHT AMENDMENTS
2 2023 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Judy Weeks Rohner
5 Senate Sponsor: Ann Millner
6
7LONG TITLE
8General Description:
9 This bill requires a vehicle operator to have the vehicle's lights or lamps illuminated
10while the vehicle is being operated during certain times of day and driving conditions.
11Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 <requires a vehicle operator to ensure the vehicle headlights are illuminated while the
14vehicle is being operated on a highway any time from sunset to sunrise and at any
15other times the sun is not in plain view; and
16 <makes technical changes.
17Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21Utah Code Sections Affected:
22AMENDS:
23 41-6a-1603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 412
24
25Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 41-6a-1603 is amended to read:
27 41-6a-1603. Lights and illuminating devices -- Duty to display -- Time.
*HB0258* H.B. 258 01-20-23 9:11 AM
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28 (1) (a) [The] Regardless of the vehicle's automated light settings, the operator of a
29vehicle shall [turn on] ensure the lamps or lights of the vehicle are illuminated while the
30vehicle is being operated on a highway at any time [from a half hour after sunset to a half hour
31before sunrise and at any other time when, due to]:
32 (i) from sunset to sunrise; and
33 (ii) the sun is not in plain view, including when the following conditions are present:
34 (A) insufficient light [or];
35 (B) unfavorable atmospheric conditions[,]; or
36 (C) persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of
371,000 feet ahead.
38 (b) The lights, lighted lamps, and other lamps and illuminating devices under
39Subsection (1)(a) shall be lighted as respectively required for different classes of vehicles,
40subject to the exceptions for parked vehicles under Section 41-6a-1607.
41 (2) Whenever a requirement is made as to distance from which certain lamps and
42devices shall render objects visible or within which the lamps or devices shall be visible, the
43provisions apply during the times specified under Subsection (1)(a) for a vehicle without load
44on a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different
45time or condition is expressly stated.
46 (3) Whenever a requirement is made as to the mounted height of lamps or devices it
47shall mean from the center of the lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle
48stands when the vehicle is without a load.
49 (4) A violation of this section is an infraction.