MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Transportation
By: Representative Zuber
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MOTOR VEHICLE HEAD LAMPS AND AUXILIARY DRIVING LAMPS MUST MEET LIGHT BRILLIANCE, COLOR AND INTENSITY SPECIFICATIONS AUTHORIZED FOR INSTALLATION BY MANUFACTURERS ON NEW MOTOR VEHICLES; 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 head lamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combinations thereof on motor vehicles 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 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 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.
(c) Only lamps that meet light brilliance, color and intensity specifications authorized for installation by manufacturers on new motor vehicles may be used on any vehicle.
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 head lamps is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. Said 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, 2003.