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189.040 Front lights -- Flashing lights.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, shall be
equipped with at least two (2) head lamps with at least one (1) on each side of
the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall comply with the
requirements and limitations set forth in this section.
Every motorcycle, moped, and every motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with
at least one (1) and not more than two (2) head lamps which shall comply with
the requirements and limitations of this section.
Except as hereinafter provided, the head lamps or the auxiliary driving lamps
or the auxiliary passing lamp or combinations thereof on motor vehicles, other
than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, shall be so arranged that the driver
may control the selection between distribution of light projected to different
elevations, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so
aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a
distance of at least three hundred fifty (350) feet ahead for all conditions
of loading;
(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so
aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a
distance of at least one hundred (100) feet ahead; and on a straight level
road under any condition of loading none of the high-intensity portion of
the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver;
and
(c) Every new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle,
registered in this state after January 1, 1956, which has multiple-beam
road-lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which
shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the head
lamps is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. Said indicator shall be
so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without
glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.
Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder
adjacent thereto during the times specified in KRS 189.030, the driver shall use
a distribution of light or composite beam directed high enough and of sufficient
intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the
vehicle, subject to the requirements and limitations hereinafter set forth.
Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five
hundred (500) feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light or composite
beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the
oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light or composite beam
specified in paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section shall be deemed to
avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.
Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within three hundred
(300) feet to the rear, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and
passing, such driver shall use a distribution of light other than the uppermost
distribution of light specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section.
Headlamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented
(8)
(9)
by auxiliary driving lights shall be permitted on motor vehicles manufactured
and sold prior to May 30, 1939, in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting
equipment, if the single distribution of light complies with the following
requirements and limitations:
(a) The headlamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded
none of the high intensity portion of the light shall, at a distance of
twenty-five (25) feet ahead, project higher than a level of five (5) inches
below the level of the center of the light from which it comes, and in no
case higher than forty-two (42) inches above the level on which the
vehicle stands, at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet ahead;
(b) The intensity shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a
distance of at least two hundred (200) feet;
(c) Whenever the operator of a motor vehicle approaches an oncoming
vehicle within five hundred (500) feet, he shall use a distribution of light or
composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the
eyes of the oncoming driver. In no case shall the high intensity portion
which is projected to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of
the vehicle be aimed higher than the center of the lamp from which it
comes at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead, and in no case higher
than a level of forty-two (42) inches above the level upon which the
vehicle stands at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet ahead.
Flashing lights are prohibited on all motor vehicles except as a means for
indicating a right or left turn or for the purpose of warning the operators of other
vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of
unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing.
The height of the headlamps, from the center of the lamp to level ground when
the vehicle is unloaded, shall be between twenty-four (24) and fifty-four (54)
inches.
Effective:July 12, 2006
History: Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 2, effective July 12, 2006. -Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 349, sec. 7, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended
1974 Ky. Acts ch. 101, sec. 2. -- Amended 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 8. -Amended 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 3; ch. 50, sec. 2; ch. 73, sec. 1; and
ch. 227, sec. 1. -- Amended 1964 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 1. -- Amended 1960 Ky.
Acts ch. 54, sec. 1. -- Amended 1954 Ky. Acts ch. 248, sec. 1. -- Amended 1950
Ky. Acts ch. 52, sec. 1. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective
October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2739g-24.
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