THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	658
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to transportation.

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

SECTION 1. Section 291-25, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§291-25 Lights for motor vehicles, motorcycles, motor scooters, motorized bicycles. (a) [From thirty minutes after sunset until thirty minutes before sunrise, every] Any time a motor vehicle is moving upon any public highway, the vehicle shall carry at the front thereof at least two lighted head lamps, which shall display white lights of equal candle power. The head lamps shall be securely mounted, not less than twenty-two inches nor more than fifty-four inches above the road surface when measured to the head lamp center, on a rigid part of the vehicle designed specifically for head lamp installation by the manufacturer, and so arranged, adjusted, and constructed that, when the motor vehicle is fully loaded, any pair of headlights under the conditions of use shall produce a light sufficient to reveal any person, vehicle, or substantial object on the highway straight ahead of the motor vehicle for a distance of two hundred feet.

The light when measured at a distance of one hundred feet directly in front of the motor vehicle, and at a height of sixty inches above the level surface on which the motor vehicle stands, shall not exceed two thousand four hundred apparent candle power, nor shall this candle power be exceeded at a greater height than sixty inches.

When measured at a distance of one hundred feet ahead of the motor vehicle and seven feet or more to the left of the axis of the same, and at a height of sixty inches above the level surface on which the motor vehicle stands, the light shall not exceed eight hundred apparent candle power.

(b) [During the time specified in subsection (a), every] Any time a motorcycle, motor scooter, or motorized bicycle [while] is moving on a public highway, the motorcycle, motor scooter, or motorized bicycle shall carry, at the front thereof, at least one lighted headlight, which shall give a light of such power and so distributed as provided in subsection (a); provided that any motorcycle, motor scooter, or motorized bicycle with a side car or similar contrivance attached shall, in addition to the foregoing required light, carry on the side car or similar contrivance a lighted lamp visible from a point at least two hundred feet ahead of the vehicle. Any headlight required by this subsection shall display white light and shall be securely mounted, not less than twenty-four inches nor more than fifty-four inches above the road surface when measured to the headlight's center on a rigid part of the vehicle designed specifically for installation of a light by the manufacturer."

SECTION 2. Section 291-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§291-31 Tail lights on vehicles, motorcycles and motor scooters. (a) [From thirty minutes after sunset to thirty minutes before sunrise, at any] Any time [while] a vehicle, other than a bicycle, motorcycle, or motor scooter, is operated on any public highway, there shall be displayed at the rear thereof at least two tail lights, spaced as far apart as practicable, which shall display red lights visible not less than two hundred feet from the rear thereof; provided that vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 originally equipped with a single tail light assembly need only display a single tail light; and where a registration number plate is required by law to be carried on the rear thereof, the same shall be illuminated by a white light in such manner that the registration number thereon can be plainly distinguished at a distance of not less than fifty feet from the rear thereof.

(b) [From thirty minutes after sunset to thirty minutes before sunrise, at any] Any time [while] a motorcycle or motor scooter is operated on any public highway, there shall be displayed at the rear thereof, a tail light, which shall display a red light visible not less than two hundred feet from the rear thereof; and if a registration number plate is required by law to be carried on the rear of the motorcycle or motor scooter, the same shall be illuminated by a white light in such manner that the registration number thereon can be plainly distinguished at a distance of not less than fifty feet from the rear thereof."

SECTION 3. Section 291C-200, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§291C-200[]] Use of lamps on mopeds. Every moped moving upon a highway [from thirty minutes after sunset until thirty minutes before sunrise and at any other time when there is insufficient ambient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of two hundred feet (60.9 meters) ahead] shall display a lighted head lamp and tail lamp[;] at all times; provided that every moped upon a highway within a tunnel shall at all times display a lighted head lamp and tail lamp."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Relating to Transportation; Motor Vehicle; Headlights; Taillights;

Description:

Requires motor vehicles to have headlights and taillights on at all times during the operation of the vehicle.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.