TITLE: Relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on motor vehicles.

SUMMARY: Relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on motor vehicles.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on motor vehicles. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 547.105(b) and (c), Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows: (b) The Texas Department of Transportation may adopt standards and specifications for lighting that permit the use of amber or white flashing lights for identification purposes on highway maintenance and service equipment, including snow-removal equipment. (c) The standards and specifications adopted under this section must comply with [are in lieu of] the standards and specifications otherwise provided by this chapter for lamps on vehicles. SECTION 2. Section 547.305, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsections (c), (d), and (e) and adding Subsections (c-1) and (g) to read as follows: (c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a flashing or alternating light that is red, white, or blue [beacon, flashing, or alternating light] unless the equipment is: (1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter; or (2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp, or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law. (c-1) A vehicle may not be equipped or operated with alternately flashing lighting equipment that is blue in color unless the vehicle is: (1) an authorized emergency vehicle that is a police vehicle; or (2) a vehicle used for law enforcement purposes that is owned or leased by the federal government. (d) A vehicle may not be equipped or operated with alternately flashing lighting equipment that is red in color unless [described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if] the vehicle is: (1) a school bus; (2) an authorized emergency vehicle; (3) a church bus that has the words "church bus" printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly discernible [discernable] to other vehicle operators; or (4) a tow truck while under the direction of a law enforcement officer at the scene of an accident or while hooking up to a disabled vehicle on a roadway [; or [(5) a tow truck with a mounted light bar which has turn signals and stop lamps in addition to those required by Sections 547.322, 547.323, and 547.324, Transportation Code].(e) A vehicle [person] may not be equipped or operated with alternately flashing lighting equipment that is white in color unless the vehicle is: (1) a vehicle described by Subsection (d); or (2) [operate] highway maintenance or service equipment, including snow-removal equipment [ that is not equipped with lamps or that does not display lighted lamps as required by the standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Department of Transportation].(g) The lighting conditions authorized by this section are in addition to the lighting requirements under Sections 547.321-547.324. SECTION 3. Section 547.305(b), Transportation Code, is repealed. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.