Rich,
You are probably correct about the original question on this thread. But I am not "interpreting" Tn law. I am reading it. All of it. It is what I do for a living. It is not illegal in TN.
As to other lighting law, especially in rainy weather, I, too, wish that would be enforced. Around these parts it seems that a large number of Nissan drives can't seem to find their lights in either inclement weather or even at night. Or they run those stupid LED DRL's at night with no other lights on.. My wife and I jokingly refer to them as "no lights Nissans".. Honda drivers are almost as bad.
Apparently it is not illegal in CT either. This is the Connecticut law by the way:
Sec. 14-96y. Number of head lamps. Number in combination with other lamps. (a) At all times specified in subsection (a) of section 14-96a, at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
(b) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than three hundred candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
(c) Failure to have lamps as required by this section shall be an infraction.
And this is the section 14-96a that is referred to:
Sec. 14-96a. Lighted lamps and illuminating devices required, when. (a) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state shall display such lighted lamps and illuminating devices as may be required under the provisions of sections 14-96a to 14-96aa, inclusive, (1) at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, (2) at any time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred feet ahead, and (3) at any time during periods of precipitation, including, but not limited to, periods of snow, rain or fog.
(b) Whenever in said sections any requirement is declared as to distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, such requirement shall apply during the times stated in subsection (a) of this section in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
(c) Whenever in said sections any requirement is declared as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, such requirement shall mean the height measured from the center of such lamps or devices to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.
(d) Failure to provide lighted lamps and illuminating devices at such time as required by this section shall be an infraction.
Just trying to help a fellow 'Trac person out.. :grin:
The Federal law on this generally deals with standards for light reflectors, candle power, etc.. If the USA were to ever require DRL's, the Fed standards would force manufacturers to include them on all vehicles as an example.