House File 97
HOUSE FILE
BY GASKILL
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act requiring the use of headlights on a motor vehicle during
2 any period of moisture accumulation and making a penalty
3 applicable.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
5 TLSB 1742HH 83
6 dea/nh/8
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. Section 321.384, Code 2009, is amended to read
1 2 as follows:
1 3 321.384 WHEN LIGHTED LAMPS REQUIRED.
1 4 1. Every A motor vehicle upon operated on a highway within
1 5 the state, at any time from shall display lighted headlamps as
1 6 provided in section 321.415 during the following times,
1 7 subject to exceptions under this chapter with respect to
1 8 parked vehicles:
1 9 a. From sunset to sunrise, and at such other times when.
1 10 b. Whenever conditions such as fog, snow, sleet, or rain
1 11 provide insufficient lighting to render clearly discernible
1 12 persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five
1 13 hundred feet ahead, shall display lighted headlamps as
1 14 provided in section 321.415, subject to exceptions with
1 15 respect to parked vehicles as hereinafter stated.
1 16 c. Whenever there is moisture accumulating on the
1 17 windshield due to misting, light rain, or other weather
1 18 conditions.
1 19 2. Whenever A requirement is hereinafter declared as to in
1 20 this chapter regarding the distance from which certain lamps
1 21 and devices shall render objects visible or within which such
1 22 lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply
1 23 during the times stated in subsection 1 of this section,
1 24 paragraphs "a" and "b", upon a straight level unlighted
1 25 highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different
1 26 time or condition is expressly stated.
1 27 EXPLANATION
1 28 This bill amends Code section 321.384 to require the
1 29 operator of a motor vehicle to display lighted headlamps on
1 30 the vehicle whenever there is moisture accumulating on the
1 31 windshield due to misting, light rain, or other weather
1 32 conditions. Currently, the use of headlamps is required from
1 33 sunset to sunrise and at all other times when conditions such
1 34 as fog, snow, sleet, or rain provide insufficient lighting to
1 35 clearly see 500 feet ahead. A violation is a simple
2 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a scheduled fine of $20.
2 2 The following Code sections contain provisions which are
2 3 linked to the times when headlamps are required under Code
2 4 section 321.384 and are therefore affected indirectly by the
2 5 bill:
2 6 Code section 321.192, which requires the use of certain
2 7 lighting devices and reflectors on motor trucks.
2 8 Code section 321.394, which requires a red light to be
2 9 displayed on projecting loads.
2 10 Code section 321.395, which requires lighting on vehicles
2 11 stopped on an unlighted roadway or shoulder.
2 12 Code sections 321.397, 321.398, and 321.418, which describe
2 13 lighting requirements for bicycles, animal drawn vehicles, and
2 14 slow=moving vehicles.
2 15 Code section 321.405, which requires self=illumination of
2 16 mechanical signal devices.
2 17 Code sections 321.415 and 321.419, which provide
2 18 specifications for headlamps.
2 19 LSB 1742HH 83
2 20 dea/nh/8