MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representative Rotenberry

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 63-7-47 AND 63-7-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE VEHICLES WITH A LOAD THAT PROJECTS FOUR FEET OR MORE BEYOND THE BED OR BODY OF THE VEHICLE TO DISPLAY A FLUORESCENT ORANGE FLAG AT THE EXTREME REAR END OF THE LOAD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-7-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-7-47. Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four (4) 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 Section 63-7-11, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern required under this section shall be in addition to the red light required upon every vehicle. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a fluorescent orange flag or cloth not less than sixteen (16) inches square.

SECTION 2. Section 63-7-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-7-15. (1) Every bus or truck.--On every bus or truck, whatever its size, there shall be at least the following lighting devices and reflectors:--On the front, two (2) head lamps, one (1) at each side. On the rear, one (1) red tail lamp; one (1) red or amber stop light; two (2) red reflectors, one (1) at each side.

(2) Every bus or truck eighty (80) inches or more in width. --On every bus or truck eighty (80) inches or more in overall width there shall be at least the following lighting devices and reflectors: On the front, two (2) head lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) amber clearance lamps, one (1) at each side. On the rear, one (1) red tail lamp; one (1) red or amber stop light; two (2) red clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) red reflectors, one at each side. On each side, one (1) amber side-marked lamp, located at or near the front; one (1) red side-marker lamp, located at or near the rear; one (1) amber reflector, located at or near the front; one (1) red reflector, located at or near the rear.

(3) Every truck tractor.--On every truck tractor there shall be at least the following lighting devices and reflectors. On the front, two (2) head lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) amber clearance lamps, one (1) at each side. On the rear, one (1) red tail lamp; one (1) red or amber stop light.

(4) Every semitrailer or trailer in excess of three thousand (3,000) pounds gross weight.--On every semitrailer or full trailer having a gross weight in excess of three thousand (3,000) pounds, there shall be at least the following lighting devices and reflectors: On the front, two (2) amber clearance lamps, one (1) at each side. On the rear, one (1) red tail lamp; one (1) red or amber stop light; two (2) red clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) red reflectors, one (1) at each side. On each side, one (1) amber side-marker lamp, located at or near the front; one (1) red side-marker lamp, located at or near the rear; one (1) amber reflector, located at or near the front; one (1) red reflector, located at or near the rear.

(5) Every semitrailer or trailer weighing three thousand (3,000) pounds gross or less.--On every semitrailer or full trailer having a gross weight of three thousand (3,000) pounds or less, there shall be at least the following lighting devices and reflectors: On the front, no requirement. On the rear, one (1) red tail lamp; two (2) red reflectors, one (1) at each side; one (1) red or amber stop light if the semitrailer or full trailer obscures the stop light on the towing vehicle.

(6) Every pole-trailer.--On every pole-trailer there shall be at least the following lighting devices and reflectors: On the front, no requirement. On the rear, one (1) red tail lamp; two (2) red reflectors, one (1) at each side, placed to indicate extreme width of the pole-trailer or its load, whichever is wider. (A red lantern or fluorescent orange flag on the end of a projecting load shall be required as provided in Section 63-7-47.) On each side, on the rearmost support for the load, one (1) combination marker lamp showing amber to the front and red to the side and rear, mounted to indicate maximum width of the pole-trailer or load; one (1) red reflector, located at or near the rear.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.