MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representative McInnis

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE FRONT AUXILIARY DRIVING LIGHTS ON CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES TO BE CONNECTED TO THE DIMMER SWITCH; TO REQUIRE AUXILIARY DRIVING LIGHTS TO PROJECT THEIR BEAMS OF LIGHT DOWNWARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-7-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-7-31. Except as hereinafter provided in this chapter, the headlights and any auxiliary driving lights located on the front of any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall be so arranged that the driver may control the selection between distributions of light projected to different elevations, subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(a) 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.

(b) There shall be 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. If a vehicle is equipped with auxiliary driving lights, then such lights must be aimed so as to project the beams of the lights downward at an angle of at least five (5) degrees below horizontal.

(c) The dimming mechanism must be connected in such a manner that at any time the headlights are placed on the lowermost distribution of light, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, all front auxiliary driving lights automatically are at a lower intensity or are turned off completely.

Every new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, registered in this state after January 1, 1954, which has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlights is in use and shall not otherwise be lighted. The 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.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.