NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact: Captain C.T. Ricks

(573) 526-6115

August 26, 2004

Q-8043



EMPHASIS: New Laws Effective August 28, 2004



Effective August 28, 2004 recent laws passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Holden will go into effect. One such law deals with the use of headlights at specific times, which motorists need to made aware of.



The definition in RSMo 307.020 dealing with when headlights are required has been amended and new requirements have been added to read: “When lighted lamps are required” means at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet ahead. Lighted lamps shall also be required any time the weather conditions require usage of the motor vehicle’s windshield wipers to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner as defined in section 304.012, RSMo. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted to require lighted lamps during periods of fog even if usage of the windshield wipers is not necessary to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner.



Colonel Roger D Stottlemyre, Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds all motorists, “It is always better to be seen than to be in a traffic crash. Laws such as this are enacted to promote safety on the highways for the motoring public.” Colonel Stottlemyre also reminds motorists it is always a good idea to slow down when these same weather conditions exist, and to always buckle your seat belt when driving or riding in a vehicle all the time.