ALLOW MODULATING HEAD LAMPS
ON MOTORCYCLES AND MOPEDS
House Bill 5961 (Substitute H-1)
Sponsor: Rep. Rick Jones
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 7-13-06
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5961 AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE
The Michigan Vehicle Code requires that a motorcycle or moped be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps.
The bill would also allow a motorcycle or moped head lamp to be wired or equipped to allow either its upper beam or its lower beam, but not both, to modulate from a higher intensity to a lower intensity. A head lamp modulator installed on a motorcycle or moped with two head lamps would have to be wired to prevent the head lamps from modulating at different rates or not in synchronization with each other. Under the bill, head lamp modulators would have to meet federal standards.
MCL 257.685
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on state and local governments due to potential increased fines for using the head lamp modulator improperly.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Advocates of head lamp modulators say that their use increases the visibility of motorcycles and thus increases safety. They say many motorcyclists operate with head lamps on at all times but the safety advantages of this practice have been reduced because more cars are manufactured with daytime running lights, making motorcycles less distinct. The bill would amend the Vehicle Code to explicitly allow modulators on motorcycles, and regulate their use.
POSITIONS:
The Department of State Police supports the bill. (6-13-06)
ABATE of Michigan supports the bill. (6-13-06)
Legislative Analyst: E. Best/Chris Couch
Fiscal Analyst: Jan Wisniewski
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.