By Seaman H.B. No. 1147
76R1621 WP-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to lighting and red flag requirements for certain vehicles
1-3 with extended loads.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. The section heading to Section 622.052,
1-6 Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
1-7 Sec. 622.052. TIME OF OPERATION; SPEED; LIGHTING
1-8 REQUIREMENTS [DISPLAY OF FLAG OR CLOTH]
1-9 SECTION 2. Section 622.052(b), Transportation Code, is
1-10 amended to read as follows:
1-11 (b) A vehicle to which this subchapter applies shall display
1-12 on the extreme end of the load:
1-13 (1) two red lamps visible at a distance of at least
1-14 500 feet from the rear;
1-15 (2) two red reflectors that indicate the maximum width
1-16 and are visible, when light is insufficient or atmospheric
1-17 conditions are unfavorable, at all distances from 100 to 600 feet
1-18 from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of
1-19 headlamps; and
1-20 (3) two red lamps, one on each side, that indicate the
1-21 maximum overhang and are visible at a distance of at least 500 feet
1-22 from the side. [A red flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square
1-23 must be displayed at the rear of the load carried on the vehicle so
1-24 that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle
2-1 approaching from the rear.]
2-2 SECTION 3. The section heading to Section 622.062,
2-3 Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
2-4 Sec. 622.062. TIME OF OPERATION; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
2-5 [DISPLAY OF FLAG OR CLOTH]
2-6 SECTION 4. Section 622.062(b), Transportation Code, is
2-7 amended to read as follows:
2-8 (b) A vehicle to which this subchapter applies shall display
2-9 on the extreme end of the load:
2-10 (1) two red lamps visible at a distance of at least
2-11 500 feet from the rear;
2-12 (2) two red reflectors that indicate the maximum width
2-13 and are visible, when light is insufficient or atmospheric
2-14 conditions are unfavorable, at all distances from 100 to 600 feet
2-15 from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of
2-16 headlamps; and
2-17 (3) two red lamps, one on each side, that indicate the
2-18 maximum overhang and are visible at a distance of at least 500 feet
2-19 from the side. [A strobe light or red flag or cloth not less than
2-20 12 inches square must be displayed at the rear of the load carried
2-21 on the vehicle so that the light or the entire area of the flag or
2-22 cloth is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the
2-23 rear.]
2-24 SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and
2-25 applies only to the operation of a motor vehicle occurring on or
2-26 after that date. A vehicle operated before the effective date of
2-27 this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time of operation,
3-1 and the former law is continued in effect for this purpose.
3-2 SECTION 6. The importance of this legislation and the
3-3 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-4 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-5 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-6 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.