Interpretation ID: 1983-2.35

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 07/27/83

FROM: SENATE

TITLE: SENATE BILL NO. 684; CHAPTER 410

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 11/28/89 FROM STEPHEN P WOOD -- NHTSA TO WILLIAM E. ALKIRE -- BRAKELIGHT ENHANCER, REDBOOK A34, STANDARD 108; LETTER DATED 08/24/89 FROM WILLIAM E. ALKIRE TO TAYLOR VINSON -- NHTSA, OCC 3876; SENATE BILL NO 1317, AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 8, 1982; INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOHNSON ON 01/07/1982

TEXT: An act to amend Sections 25251, 25251.3, and 25251.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.

[Approved by Governor July 26, 1983. Filed with Secretary of State July 27, 1983.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 684, Seymour. Vehicle: lighting.

(1) Existing law regulates the use of flashing lights for vehicles, but does not contain a special authorization for funeral processions.

This bill would authorize vehicles in a funeral procession to simultaneously flash turn signal lamps on both sides of the vehicle to warn other motorists of the procession. No civil liability would attach for the use or nonuse of that warning method.

(2) Under existing law, it is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or use any device which is intended to modify the original performance of vehicle lighting equipment, unless the device has been tested and complies with requirements of the California Highway Patrol.

This bill would expressly authorize the use of stoplamps and supplemental stoplamps equipped to flash not more than 4 times within the first 4 seconds after actuation by application of the brakes.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 25251 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

25251. (a) Flashing lights are permitted on vehicles as follows:

(1) To indicate an intention to turn or move to the right or left upon a roadway, turn signal lamps and turn signal exterior pilot indicator lamps and side lamps permitted under Section 25106 may be flashed on the side of a vehicle toward which the turn or movement is to be made.

(2) When disabled upon the roadway or when disabled or parked off the roadway but within 10 feet thereof, turn signal lamps may be flashed as warning lights if the front turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously.

(3) To warn other motorists of accidents or hazards on a roadway, turn signal lamps may be flashed as warning lights while the vehicle is approaching, overtaking, or passing the accident or hazard on the roadway if the front turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously.

(4) For use on authorized emergency vehicles.

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(5) To warn other motorists of a funeral procession, turn signal lamps may be flashed as warning lights on all vehicles actually engaged in a funeral procession, if the front turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously.

(b) Side lamps permitted under Section 25106 and used in conjunction with turn signal lamps may be flashed with the turn signal lamps as part of the warning light system, as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a).

(c) Required or permitted lamps on a trailer or semitrailer may flash when the trailer or semitrailer has broken away from the towing vehicle and the connection between the vehicles is broken.

SEC. 2. Section 25251.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

25251.3. No civil liability shall attach to any person for the use or nonuse of turn signal lamps in the manner permitted by paragraph (3) or (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 25251, except for such civil liability as would attach for the use or nonuse of any other device required by this article or Article 8 (commencing with Section 25300).

SEC. 3. Section 25251.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

25251.5. (a) Any motor vehicle may also be equipped with a system in which an amber light is center mounted on the rear of a vehicle to communicate a component of deceleration of the vehicle, and which light pulses in a controlled fashion at a rate which varies exponentially with a component of deceleration.

(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with two amber lamps on the rear of the vehicle which operate simultaneously with not more than four flashes within four seconds after the accelerator pedal is in the deceleration position and which are not lighted at any other time. The lamps shall be mounted at the same height, with one lamp located on each side of the vertical centerline of the vehicle, not higher than the bottom of the rear window, or if the vehicle has no rear window, not higher than 60 inches. The light output from each of the lamps shall not exceed 200 candlepower at any angle horizontal or above. The amber lamps may be used either separately or in combination with another lamp.

(c) Any stoplamp or supplemental stoplamp required or permitted by Section 24603 may be equipped so as to flash not more than four times within the first four seconds after actuation by application of the brakes.