72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
Enrolled
Senate Bill 661
Sponsored by Senator C STARR; Senator GEORGE, Representative
KROPF
CHAPTER ................
AN ACT
Relating to vehicle equipment; amending ORS 811.515, 811.525,
816.280 and 816.350.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 811.515 is amended to read:
811.515. This section establishes requirements for ORS 811.520.
Except where an exemption under ORS 811.525 specifically provides
otherwise, a vehicle that does not comply with this section is in
violation of ORS 811.520. Where specific types of lighting
equipment are mentioned in this section, those types are types
described in ORS 816.040 to 816.290. The requirements under this
section are as follows:
(1) Subject to any other provision of this section, any
lighting equipment a vehicle is required to be equipped with
under ORS 816.040 to 816.290 must be displayed when the vehicle
is upon a highway within this state at any time limited
visibility conditions exist. The provisions of this subsection
apply during the times stated when the required visibility is
measured on a straight, level unlighted highway.
(2) Parking lights and lights other than clearance,
identification and marker lights that are mounted on the front of
a vehicle and are designed to be displayed primarily when the
vehicle is parked shall not be lighted when a vehicle is driven
upon a highway at times when limited visibility conditions exist
except when:
(a) The lights are being used as turn signals; or
(b) The headlights are also lighted at the same time.
(3) Any vehicle parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder
adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during times
when limited visibility conditions exist must display parking
lights.
(4) All vehicles not specifically required by ORS 816.320 to be
equipped with lighting equipment shall at times when limited
visibility conditions exist display exempt-vehicle safety
lighting equipment. This section includes, but is not limited to,
animal drawn vehicles and vehicles exempted from required
lighting equipment under ORS 816.340.
(5) Tow vehicle warning lights on tow vehicles shall be
activated when the tow vehicles are engaged in connecting with
other vehicles and drawing such vehicles onto highways or while
servicing disabled vehicles.
Enrolled Senate Bill 661 (SB 661-A) Page 1
(6) When limited visibility conditions exist a person shall use
a distribution of light or composite beam that is directed
sufficiently high and that is of such intensity so as to reveal
persons and vehicles on the highway at a safe distance in advance
of the vehicle. A person violates this subsection if the person
does not comply with the following:
(a) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming
vehicle within 500 feet, the driver must 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 use of the
low beams of the vehicle headlight system is in compliance with
this paragraph at all times regardless of road contour and
loading of the vehicle.
(b) Except when in the act of overtaking or passing, a driver
of a vehicle following another vehicle within 350 feet to the
rear must use the low beams of the vehicle headlight system.
(7) When a vehicle is upon a highway a person shall light not
more than a total of four lights at any one time that are mounted
on the front of a vehicle and that each projects a beam of
intensity greater than 300 candlepower.
(8) A light, other than a headlight, that projects a beam of
light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall not be
operated on a vehicle:
(a) Unless the beam is so directed that no part of the high
intensity portion 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; or
(b) When use of the low beams of the vehicle headlight system
is required under subsection (6) of this section.
(9) A spotlight shall not be lighted upon approaching another
vehicle unless the spotlight is so aimed and used so that no part
of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the
left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle
upon which it is mounted, more than 100 feet ahead of the
vehicle.
(10) Auxiliary lights mounted higher than 54 inches shall not
be lighted when the vehicle is used on a highway.
(11) A back-up light shall not be lighted when the vehicle is
in forward motion.
(12) Bus safety lights shall only be operated in accordance
with the following:
(a) The lights may be operated when the vehicle is stopping or
has stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading students who
are going to or from any school or authorized school activity or
function.
(b) The lights may be operated when the vehicle is stopping or
has stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading workers from
worker transport buses.
(c) The lights may be operated when the vehicle is stopping or
has stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading children
being transported to or from religious services or an activity or
function authorized by a religious organization.
(d) The lights may be operated when the vehicle is stopping or
has stopped in a place that obstructs other drivers' ability to
see the bus safety lights on another vehicle.
(e) Notwithstanding any other paragraph of this subsection, the
lights shall not be operated if the vehicle is stopping or has
stopped at an intersection where traffic is controlled by
electrical traffic control signals, other than flashing signals,
or by a police officer.
Enrolled Senate Bill 661 (SB 661-A) Page 2
(f) Notwithstanding any other paragraph of this subsection, the
lights shall not be operated if the vehicle is stopping or has
stopped at a loading or unloading area where the vehicle is
completely off the roadway.
(13)(a) Hazard lights shall 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.
(b) Hazard lights shall be used by the first and last vehicles
in a funeral procession.
(14) Mail delivery lights may be used only while in active
service transporting United States mail for the purpose of
warning other vehicle operators of the vehicle's presence and to
exercise caution in approaching, overtaking or passing. A vehicle
with mail delivery lights is in compliance with this subsection
if the lights are flashed continuously while the vehicle is in
motion in active service transporting mail or if the lights are
actuated by application of the service brake while the vehicle is
parked.
(15) A pilot vehicle warning light may be activated only when
the vehicle equipped with the light is an escort accompanying a
motor vehicle carrying or towing a load of a size or description
not permitted under ORS 818.020, 818.060, 818.090 or 818.160.
(16) Fire company warning lights authorized under a permit
granted under ORS 818.250 may be used by the persons authorized
under the permit while being driven to a fire station or fire
location in response to a fire alarm. Fire company warning lights
authorized under ORS 811.800 may be used by funeral escort
vehicle or funeral lead vehicle drivers while driving in a
funeral procession. The lights shall be covered or otherwise
concealed when not being displayed as provided in this
subsection.
(17) Any lighted headlights upon a parked vehicle shall be
dimmed.
{ + (18) Commercial vehicle warning lights may be used only:
(a) To warn operators of other vehicles of the presence of a
traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in
approaching, overtaking or passing the commercial vehicle; and
(b) When the commercial vehicle is being used for commercial
purposes and the vehicle is:
(A) Stopped, parked or left standing at a commercial or work
site; or
(B) In a highway work zone as defined in ORS 811.230. + }
SECTION 2. ORS 811.525 is amended to read:
811.525. This section establishes exemptions from ORS 811.515
and 811.520. The exemptions under this section are in addition to
any exemptions under ORS 801.026. The exemptions established
under this section are partial or complete as described in the
following:
(1) ORS 811.515 and 811.520 shall not be construed to prohibit
the use of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle not
inconsistent with the provisions of those sections.
(2) Except for the provisions relating to exempt-vehicle safety
lighting equipment, ORS 811.515 and 811.520 do not apply to any
of the following:
(a) Road machinery.
(b) Road rollers.
(c) Farm tractors.
(d) Antique motor vehicles that are maintained as a collector's
item and used for exhibitions, parades, club activities and
Enrolled Senate Bill 661 (SB 661-A) Page 3
similar uses, but not used primarily for the transportation of
persons or property.
(3) Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in
combination during the time that lights are required, any
lighting equipment, except the taillight, which by reason of its
location on a vehicle of the combination would be obscured by
another vehicle of the combination, need not be lighted. This
subsection shall not affect the requirement that lighted
clearance lights be displayed on the front of the foremost
vehicle required to have clearance lights nor the requirement
that all lights on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of the
combination be lighted.
(4) Lighting equipment on bicycles shall be lighted as required
under ORS 815.280.
(5) Parked or stopped vehicles are not required to display
parking lights if the road authority for the highway provides by
ordinance or resolution that no lights need be displayed upon a
vehicle parked on the highway in accordance with legal parking
regulations where there is sufficient light to render clearly
discernible any person or object within a distance of 500 feet
from the highway.
(6) Nothing under ORS 811.515 and 811.520 limits the ability to
use the following lights with any other lights during the day or
at night:
(a) Public vehicle warning lights.
(b) Pilot vehicle warning lights.
(c) Tow vehicle warning lights.
(d) Police lights.
(e) Warning lights on vehicles at the scene of an actual or
potential release of hazardous materials, as described in ORS
816.280.
(f) Warning lights on vehicles being used by medical examiners
to reach the scene of an accident or of a death investigation, as
described in ORS 816.280.
{ + (g) Commercial vehicle warning lights. + }
(7) Requirements for use of motorcycle and moped headlights are
under ORS 814.320.
SECTION 3. ORS 816.280 is amended to read:
816.280. This section establishes standards for different types
of warning lights. Each of the following is a requirement for
warning lights as described:
(1) The following are the colors for the indicated type of
warning light:
(a) Public vehicle warning lights { + , + } { - and - }
pilot vehicle warning lights { + and commercial vehicle warning
lights + } shall be amber.
(b) Tow vehicle warning lights may be amber or red.
(c) Weighmaster and motor carrier enforcement officer warning
lights shall be red.
(d) Warning lights on vehicles engaged in the removal,
containment or cleanup of a hazardous materials release, and on
vehicles at the scene of a potential release of hazardous
materials, may be red or amber.
(e) Warning lights on vehicles being used by medical examiners
to reach the scene of an accident or of a death investigation may
be red.
(2) Warning lights shall provide an intermittent light that may
be either of a revolving or flashing type or any other type that
provides an intermittent light.
Enrolled Senate Bill 661 (SB 661-A) Page 4
(3) All warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not
less than 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
SECTION 4. ORS 816.350 is amended to read:
816.350. This section establishes requirements for ORS 816.360.
When specific types of lighting equipment are mentioned by this
section, those types are types described under ORS 816.040 to
816.290. Except as allowed under this section or where an
exemption under ORS 816.370 specifically provides otherwise, a
vehicle that does not comply with this section is in violation of
ORS 816.360:
(1) A motorcycle or moped shall not be equipped with more than
two headlights.
(2) Except when blue or purple inserts are allowed under ORS
816.080, 816.100 or 816.120, no vehicle shall have any lighting
equipment mounted on the rear that displays or reflects any color
other than red except for the following lighting equipment:
(a) Turn signal lights.
(b) Rear mounted lighting systems.
(c) Registration plate lights.
(d) Back-up lights.
(3) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, only the
following types of vehicles may be equipped with public vehicle
warning lights:
(a) A vehicle operated by the state, or any county, city,
district or other political subdivision of the state, and used
for the construction, improvement, repair, maintenance, operation
or patrol of any public highway.
(b) Vehicles operated by a public utility or telecommunications
utility involved in maintenance, repair or construction of their
facilities along public rights of way.
(4) Vehicles operated by a police officer and used for law
enforcement may be equipped with any type of police lights, but
only such vehicles may be equipped with blue lights.
(5) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, only a
vehicle operated by a weighmaster or motor carrier enforcement
officer proceeding under the authority of ORS 810.530 may be
equipped with weighmaster warning lights.
(6) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, only tow
vehicles may be equipped with tow vehicle warning lights.
(7) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, only a
motor vehicle escort accompanying a motor vehicle carrying or
towing a load of a size or description not permitted under ORS
815.160, 815.170, 818.020, 818.060, 818.090, 818.110, 818.160 and
818.300 may be equipped with a pilot vehicle warning light.
(8) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, only the
following vehicles may be equipped with bus safety lights:
(a) School buses.
(b) Worker transport buses.
(c) Vehicles issued a permit under ORS 818.260.
(9) No vehicle except a vehicle used in active service
transporting United States Mail may be equipped with mail
delivery lights.
(10) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, fire
company warning lights may only be used on the following
vehicles:
(a) An emergency vehicle.
(b) A vehicle authorized under a permit issued under ORS
818.250.
(c) Funeral lead vehicles and funeral escort vehicles used to
escort funeral processions.
Enrolled Senate Bill 661 (SB 661-A) Page 5
(11) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, no vehicle
or equipment shall display or carry any lighting equipment or
device with a red light visible from directly in front of the
vehicle or equipment.
(12) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, all
flashing lights are prohibited on all motor vehicles on any
street or highway except for turn signals, hazard lights and
headlight flashing systems described in ORS 816.050.
(13) No motor vehicle other than an emergency vehicle shall be
equipped with more than one spot light.
(14) No motor vehicle shall be equipped with more than two cowl
or fender lights.
(15) A vehicle at the scene of an actual or potential release
of hazardous materials may be equipped with warning lights as
described in ORS 816.280 (1)(d).
(16) A vehicle being used by medical examiners to reach the
scene of an accident or of a death investigation may be equipped
with warning lights as described in ORS 816.280 (1)(e).
{ + (17) A commercial vehicle, as defined in ORS 801.210 (2),
may be equipped with commercial vehicle warning lights. + }
----------
Passed by Senate May 1, 2003
...........................................................
Secretary of Senate
...........................................................
President of Senate
Passed by House May 16, 2003
...........................................................
Speaker of House
Enrolled Senate Bill 661 (SB 661-A) Page 6
Received by Governor:
......M.,............., 2003
Approved:
......M.,............., 2003
...........................................................
Governor
Filed in Office of Secretary of State:
......M.,............., 2003
...........................................................
Secretary of State
Enrolled Senate Bill 661 (SB 661-A) Page 7