[200q20v] Re: [s-cars] to fog or not to fog...

[Jimmy Pribble, Managing Editor, UrS4.com]

>>I choose not to agree with the "two lights" suggestion.

>Well, but it's a law in many places, isn't it?

Maybe, maybe not.  That seems to be part of the problem with these kinds of
threads.  Each of our states/countries has their own standard, and worse,
most of us haven't bothered actually reading them.  I sat down one afternoon
and read the Texas traffic code (it really isn't that long if you skip all
the stuff about where all the reflectors on big rigs are supposed to go) and
found out all kinds of cool stuff.  Until then, I always thought that my
passing in the suicide lane was dangerous, illegal, youthful folly.  I was
mostly right, except that I found out it was perfectly legal.  Suicide lane
is just that...a lane.  Use it to pass as you see fit (and according to the
usual passing laws).  Anyway, I have included the relevant passages from
Texas law concerning vehicle lighting (with a summary).  Interesting reading
for law geeks.

YLMV,

Jimmy

Executive Summary:
All styles of lights are categorized as either low or high distribution.  At
500ft. from oncoming traffic, one must deselect any light distribution
categorized as high.  There is no "two lights" or even "two pairs" rule.  It
is based on distribution alone.  A possible, legal combination is: 2 LO, 2
FOG, 2 AUX (all properly aimed and activated).

Texas Law (I cut out the stuff about brake lights, etc.):

SUBCHAPTER E. GENERAL LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES


§ 547.321. Headlamps Required


     (a) A motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least two headlamps.

     (b) At least one headlamp shall be mounted on each side of the front of
the vehicle.


     (c) Each headlamp shall be mounted at a height from 24 to 54 inches.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 547.3215. Use of Federal Standard


     Unless specifically prohibited by this chapter, lighting, reflective
devices, and associated equipment on a vehicle or motor vehicle must comply
with:


     (1) the current federal standards in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.108; or


     (2) the federal standards in that section in effect, if any, at the
time the vehicle or motor vehicle was manufactured.


Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 324, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.


§ 547.328. Fog Lamps Permitted


     (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two fog lamps.


     (b) A fog lamp shall be:


     (1) mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height from 12 to 30
inches; and


     (2) aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam
from a lamp mounted to the left of center on a vehicle projects a beam of
light at a distance of 25 feet that is higher than four inches below the
level of the center of the lamp.


     (c) Lighted fog lamps may be used with lower headlamp beams as
specified by Section 547.333.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 547.329. Auxiliary Passing Lamps Permitted


     (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with no more than two auxiliary
passing lamps.


     (b) An auxiliary passing lamp shall be mounted on the front of the
vehicle at a height from 24 to 42 inches.


     (c) An auxiliary passing lamp may be used with headlamps as specified
by Section 547.333.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 547.330. Auxiliary Driving Lamps Permitted


     (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with no more than two auxiliary
driving lamps.


     (b) An auxiliary driving lamp shall be mounted on the front of the
vehicle at a height from 16 to 42 inches.


     (c) Auxiliary driving lamps may be used with headlamps as specified by
Section 547.333.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 547.332. Other Lamps Permitted


     A motor vehicle may be equipped with:


     (1) not more than two side cowl or fender lamps that emit an amber or
white light without glare;


     (2) not more than two running board courtesy lamps, one on each side of
the vehicle, that emit an amber or white light without glare; and


     (3) one or more backup lamps that:


     (A) emit an amber or white light only when the vehicle is not moving
forward; and


     (B) may be displayed separately or in combination with another lamp.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 547.333. Multiple-Beam Lighting Equipment Required


     (a) Unless provided otherwise, a headlamp, auxiliary driving lamp,
auxiliary passing lamp, or combination of those lamps mounted on a motor
vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle:


     (1) shall be arranged so that the operator can select at will between
distributions of light projected at different elevations; and


     (2) may be arranged so that the operator can select the distribution
automatically.


     (b) A lamp identified by Subsection (a) shall produce:


     (1) an uppermost distribution of light or composite beam that is aimed
and emits light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of at
least 450 feet ahead during all conditions of loading; and


     (2) a lowermost distribution of light or composite beam that:


     (A) is aimed and emits light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle
at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead; and


     (B) is aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam
on a vehicle that is operated on a straight, level road under any condition
of loading projects into the eyes of an approaching vehicle operator.


     (c) A person who operates a vehicle on a roadway or shoulder shall
select a distribution of light or composite beam that is aimed and emits
light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle at a safe distance ahead of
the vehicle, except that:


     (1) an operator approaching an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet shall
select:


     (A) the lowermost distribution of light or composite beam, regardless
of road contour or condition of loading; or


     (B) a distribution aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion
of the lamp projects into the eyes of an approaching vehicle operator; and


     (2) an operator approaching a vehicle from the rear within 300 feet may
not select the uppermost distribution of light.


     (d) A motor vehicle of a model year of 1948 or later, other than a
motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, that has multiple-beam lighting equipment
shall be equipped with a beam indicator that is:


     (1) designed and located so that the lighted indicator is visible
without glare to the vehicle operator; and


     (2) lighted only when the uppermost distribution of light is in use.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 547.334. Single-Beam Lighting Equipment Permitted


     (a) In lieu of the multiple-beam lighting equipment required by Section
547.333, a headlamp system that provides a single distribution of light and
meets the requirements of Subsection (b) is permitted for:


     (1) a farm tractor; or


     (2) a motor vehicle manufactured and sold before September 4, 1948.


     (b) The headlamp system specified by Subsection (a) shall:


     (1) emit a light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance
of at least 200 feet; and


     (2) be aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the lamp
projects a beam:


     (A) higher than five inches below the level of the center of the lamp
at a distance of 25 feet ahead; or


     (B) higher than 42 inches above the ground at a distance of 75 feet
ahead.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 547.335. Alternative Road Lighting Equipment Permitted


     In lieu of the multiple-beam or single-beam lighting equipment
otherwise required by this subchapter, a motor vehicle that is operated at a
speed of not more than 20 miles per hour under the conditions specified in
Section 547.302(a) may be equipped with two lighted lamps:


     (1) mounted on the front of the vehicle; and


     (2) capable of revealing a person or vehicle 100 feet ahead.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.