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. Section 622.042, Transportation Code, is amended
1-6 to read as follows:
1-7 Sec. 622.042. TIME OF OPERATION; DISPLAY OF FLAG, CLOTH, OR
1-8 STROBE LIGHT. (a) A vehicle subject to this subchapter may be
1-9 operated only during daytime.
1-10 (b) In this section, "daytime" has the meaning assigned by
1-11 Section 541.401.
1-12 (c) A red flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square or a
1-13 strobe light must be displayed at the rear of the load carried on
1-14 the vehicle so that the light or the entire area of the flag or
1-15 cloth is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the
1-16 rear.
1-17 SECTION 2. The section heading to Section 622.052,
1-18 Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
1-19 Sec. 622.052. TIME OF OPERATION; SPEED; LIGHTING
1-20 REQUIREMENTS [DISPLAY OF FLAG OR CLOTH].
1-21 SECTION 3. Section 622.052(b), Transportation Code, is
1-22 amended to read as follows:
1-23 (b) A vehicle to which this subchapter applies shall display
1-24 on the extreme end of the load:
2-1 (1) two red lamps visible at a distance of at least
2-2 500 feet from the rear;
2-3 (2) two red reflectors that indicate the maximum width
2-4 and are visible, when light is insufficient or atmospheric
2-5 conditions are unfavorable, at all distances from 100 to 600 feet
2-6 from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of
2-7 headlamps; and
2-8 (3) two red lamps, one on each side, that indicate the
2-9 maximum overhang and are visible at a distance of at least 500 feet
2-10 from the side. [A red flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square
2-11 must be displayed at the rear of the load carried on the vehicle so
2-12 that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle
2-13 approaching from the rear.]
2-14 SECTION 4. The section heading to Section 622.062,
2-15 Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
2-16 Sec. 622.062. TIME OF OPERATION; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
2-17 [DISPLAY OF FLAG OR CLOTH].
2-18 SECTION 5. Section 622.062(b), Transportation Code, is
2-19 amended to read as follows:
2-20 (b) A vehicle to which this subchapter applies shall display
2-21 on the extreme end of the load:
2-22 (1) two red lamps visible at a distance of at least
2-23 500 feet from the rear;
2-24 (2) two red reflectors that indicate the maximum width
2-25 and are visible, when light is insufficient or atmospheric
2-26 conditions are unfavorable, at all distances from 100 to 600 feet
2-27 from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of
3-1 headlamps; and
3-2 (3) two red lamps, one on each side, that indicate the
3-3 maximum overhang and are visible at a distance of at least 500 feet
3-4 from the side. [A strobe light or red flag or cloth not less than
3-5 12 inches square must be displayed at the rear of the load carried
3-6 on the vehicle so that the light or the entire area of the flag or
3-7 cloth is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the
3-8 rear.]
3-9 SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and
3-10 applies only to the operation of a motor vehicle occurring on or
3-11 after that date. A vehicle operated before the effective date of
3-12 this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time of operation,
3-13 and the former law is continued in effect for this purpose.
3-14 SECTION 7. The importance of this legislation and the
3-15 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-16 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-17 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-18 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1147 was passed by the House on April
23, 1999, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 1147 on May 19, 1999, by a non-record
vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1147 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 17, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays
0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor