Stop Lamps and Turn Signals; Color, Visibility, and Operation; Lighting Device Colors

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Sec. 17. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped, and when required under this chapter must be equipped, with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle that:

(1) displays only a red light, visible from a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet to the rear in normal sunlight;

(2) will be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake; and

(3) may be incorporated with at least one (1) other rear lamp.

(b) A motor vehicle may be equipped and when required under this chapter must be equipped with lamps or mechanical signal devices showing to the front and rear for the purpose of indicating an intention to turn either to the right or left. If lamps are used for this purpose, the lamps showing to the front must be located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and when in use must display only a white or an amber light, or any shade of color between white and amber, visible from a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet to the front in normal sunlight. The lamps showing to the rear must be located at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and when in use must display only a red or an amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber, visible from a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet to the rear in normal sunlight. When actuated the lamps must indicate the intended direction of turning by flashing the lights showing to the front and rear on the side toward which the turn is made. If mechanical signal devices are used for this purpose, the devices must be self-illuminated when in use at the times required by IC 9-21-7-2.

(c) A stop lamp or signal lamp or device may not project a glaring light.

(d) A lighting device mounted on the rear of the vehicle may not display any color other than red except as follows:

(1) A signal lamp or device must be red or amber or any shade of color between red and amber.

(2) The light illuminating the license plate must be white.

(3) The light emitted by a back-up lamp must be white or amber.

[Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-21.]

As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.1-1991, SEC.93; P.L.164-2018, SEC.7.


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