[Grovenet] Driving Help Needed

[Steven]

Ask him what the second position of the light switch is called.
Parking Lights. For when you are parked on the side of the road. Cars have
lights for when they aren't moving.
Well lit is not the only reason for lights. There is the issue of
camouflage. Your car kinda blends in at night.

Here's the code:

811.515 When lights must be displayed; kind of light; number; direction; use
on certain vehicles. This section establishes requirements for ORS 811.520.
Except where an exemption under ORS 811.525 specifically provides otherwise,
a vehicle that does not comply with this section is in violation of ORS
811.520. Where specific types of lighting equipment are mentioned in this
section, those types are types described in ORS 816.040 to 816.290. The
requirements under this section are as follows:

      (1) Subject to any other provision of this section, any lighting
equipment a vehicle is required to be equipped with under ORS 816.040 to
816.290 must be displayed when the vehicle is upon a highway within this
state at any time limited visibility conditions exist. The provisions of
this subsection apply during the times stated when the required visibility
is measured on a straight, level unlighted highway.

      (2) Parking lights and lights other than clearance, identification and
marker lights that are mounted on the front of a vehicle and are designed to
be displayed primarily when the vehicle is parked shall not be lighted when
a vehicle is driven upon a highway at times when limited visibility
conditions exist except when:

      (a) The lights are being used as turn signals; or

      (b) The headlights are also lighted at the same time.

      (3) Any vehicle parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent
thereto, whether attended or unattended, during times when limited
visibility conditions exist must display parking lights.

      (4) All vehicles not specifically required by ORS 816.320 to be
equipped with lighting equipment shall at times when limited visibility
conditions exist display exempt-vehicle safety lighting equipment. This
section includes, but is not limited to, animal drawn vehicles and vehicles
exempted from required lighting equipment under ORS 816.340.

      (5) Tow vehicle warning lights on tow vehicles shall be activated when
the tow vehicles are engaged in connecting with other vehicles and drawing
such vehicles onto highways or while servicing disabled vehicles.

      (6) When limited visibility conditions exist a person shall use a
distribution of light or composite beam that is directed sufficiently high
and that is of such intensity so as to reveal persons and vehicles on the
highway at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle. A person violates this
subsection if the person does not comply with the following:

      (a) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle
within 500 feet, the driver must use a distribution of light or composite
beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the
oncoming driver. The use of the low beams of the vehicle headlight system is
in compliance with this paragraph at all times regardless of road contour
and loading of the vehicle.

      (b) Except when in the act of overtaking or passing, a driver of a
vehicle following another vehicle within 350 feet to the rear must use the
low beams of the vehicle headlight system.

      (7) When a vehicle is upon a highway a person shall light not more
than a total of four lights at any one time that are mounted on the front of
a vehicle and that each projects a beam of intensity greater than 300
candlepower.

      (8)(a) A light, other than a headlight, that projects a beam of light
of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall not be operated on a
vehicle:

      (A) Unless the beam is so directed that no part of the high intensity
portion of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the
vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle; or

      (B) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, when use
of the low beams of the vehicle headlight system is required under
subsection (6) of this section.

      (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(B) of this subsection, a light,
other than a headlight, may be lighted on a motorcycle provided that the
intensity of the light does not exceed the intensity of the low beams of the
headlight system. A motorcycle may not be operated with more than two
lights, other than headlights, under this paragraph.

      (9) A spotlight shall not be lighted upon approaching another vehicle
unless the spotlight is so aimed and used so that no part of the
high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the
prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle upon which it is
mounted, more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.

      (10) Auxiliary lights mounted higher than 54 inches shall not be
lighted when the vehicle is used on a highway.

      (11) A back-up light shall not be lighted when the vehicle is in
forward motion.

      (12) Bus safety lights shall only be operated in accordance with the
following:

      (a) The lights may be operated when the vehicle is stopping or has
stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading students who are going to or
from any school or authorized school activity or function.

      (b) The lights may be operated when the vehicle is stopping or has
stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading workers from worker
transport buses.

      (c) The lights may be operated when the vehicle is stopping or has
stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading children being transported
to or from religious services or an activity or function authorized by a
religious organization.

      (d) The lights may be operated when the vehicle is stopping or has
stopped in a place that obstructs other drivers' ability to see the bus
safety lights on another vehicle.

      (e) Notwithstanding any other paragraph of this subsection, the lights
shall not be operated if the vehicle is stopping or has stopped at an
intersection where traffic is controlled by electrical traffic control
signals, other than flashing signals, or by a police officer.

      (f) Notwithstanding any other paragraph of this subsection, the lights
shall not be operated if the vehicle is stopping or has stopped at a loading
or unloading area where the vehicle is completely off the roadway.

      (13)(a) Hazard lights shall be used for the purpose of warning the
operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard
requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or
passing.

      (b) Hazard lights shall be used by the first and last vehicles in a
funeral procession.

      (14) Mail delivery lights may be used only while in active service
transporting United States mail for the purpose of warning other vehicle
operators of the vehicle's presence and to exercise caution in approaching,
overtaking or passing. A vehicle with mail delivery lights is in compliance
with this subsection if the lights are flashed continuously while the
vehicle is in motion in active service transporting mail or if the lights
are actuated by application of the service brake while the vehicle is
parked.

      (15) A pilot vehicle warning light may be activated only when the
vehicle equipped with the light is an escort accompanying a motor vehicle
carrying or towing a load of a size or description not permitted under ORS
818.020, 818.060, 818.090 or 818.160.

      (16) Fire company warning lights authorized under a permit granted
under ORS 818.250 may be used by the persons authorized under the permit
while being driven to a fire station or fire location in response to a fire
alarm. Fire company warning lights authorized under ORS 811.800 may be used
by funeral escort vehicle or funeral lead vehicle drivers while driving in a
funeral procession. The lights shall be covered or otherwise concealed when
not being displayed as provided in this subsection.

      (17) Any lighted headlights upon a parked vehicle shall be dimmed.

      (18) Commercial vehicle warning lights may be used only:

      (a) To warn operators of other vehicles of the presence of a traffic
hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or
passing the commercial vehicle; and

      (b) When the commercial vehicle is being used for commercial purposes
and the vehicle is:

      (A) Stopped, parked or left standing at a commercial or work site; or

      (B) In a highway work zone as defined in ORS 811.230. [1983 c.338
?660; 1985 c.71 ?7; 1989 c.402 ?1; 1991 c.482 ?19; 2003 c.118 ?2; 2003 c.245
?1]



      811.520 Unlawful use or failure to use lights; penalty. (1) A person
commits the offense of unlawful use or failure to use lights if the person
does any of the following:

      (a) Drives or moves on any highway any vehicle at a time when vehicle
lighting is required to be operated or is prohibited from being operated
under ORS 811.515 and operates or fails to operate lighting equipment as
required under ORS 811.515.

      (b) Owns a vehicle or combination of vehicles and causes or knowingly
permits the vehicle or combination of vehicles to be driven or moved on any
highway at a time when ORS 811.515 requires or prohibits the operation of
vehicle lighting equipment without compliance with the requirements under
ORS 811.515.

      (c) Drives any vehicle in a funeral procession without using the low
beam headlights.

      (2) The application of this section is subject to the exemptions from
this section established under ORS 811.525.

      (3) The offense described in this section, unlawful use of or failure
to use lights, is a Class B traffic violation, except that violation of ORS
811.515 (3), (4), (13) or (17) or subsection (1)(c) of this section is a
Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 ?659; 1985 c.16 ?323; 1991 c.482 ?21;
1995 c.383 ?21]



      811.525 Exemptions from requirements for use of lights. This section
establishes exemptions from ORS 811.515 and 811.520. The exemptions under
this section are in addition to any exemptions under ORS 801.026. The
exemptions established under this section are partial or complete as
described in the following:

      (1) ORS 811.515 and 811.520 shall not be construed to prohibit the use
of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle not inconsistent with the
provisions of those sections.

      (2) Except for the provisions relating to exempt-vehicle safety
lighting equipment, ORS 811.515 and 811.520 do not apply to any of the
following:

      (a) Road machinery.

      (b) Road rollers.

      (c) Farm tractors.

      (d) Antique motor vehicles that are maintained as a collector's item
and used for exhibitions, parades, club activities and similar uses, but not
used primarily for the transportation of persons or property.

      (3) Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination
during the time that lights are required, any lighting equipment, except the
taillight, which by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination
would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination, need not be
lighted. This subsection shall not affect the requirement that lighted
clearance lights be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required
to have clearance lights nor the requirement that all lights on the rear of
the rearmost vehicle of the combination be lighted.

      (4) Lighting equipment on bicycles shall be lighted as required under
ORS 815.280.

      (5) Parked or stopped vehicles are not required to display parking
lights if the road authority for the highway provides by ordinance or
resolution that no lights need be displayed upon a vehicle parked on the
highway in accordance with legal parking regulations where there is
sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person or object within a
distance of 500 feet from the highway.

      (6) Nothing under ORS 811.515 and 811.520 limits the ability to use
the following lights with any other lights during the day or at night:

      (a) Public vehicle warning lights.

      (b) Pilot vehicle warning lights.

      (c) Tow vehicle warning lights.

      (d) Police lights.

      (e) Warning lights on vehicles at the scene of an actual or potential
release of hazardous materials, as described in ORS 816.280.

      (f) Warning lights on vehicles being used by medical examiners to
reach the scene of an accident or of a death investigation, as described in
ORS 816.280.

      (g) Commercial vehicle warning lights.

      (7) Requirements for use of motorcycle and moped headlights are under
ORS 814.320.

      (8) Requirements for lighting equipment for an electric personal
assistive mobility device are under ORS 815.284. [1983 c.338 ?661; 1985 c.16
?324; 1985 c.71 ?8; 1999 c.497 ?2; 2003 c.245 ?2; 2003 c.341 ?9]



      811.526 Safety campaign for use of headlights. The Department of
Transportation shall conduct a safety campaign to educate people about the
advantages of using headlights in fog or rain or when driving on a single
lane highway. The campaign shall include, but need not be limited to,
encouraging people to drive with headlights on under the specified
conditions. [1997 c.464 ?1]



      Note: 811.526 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was
not added to or made a part of the Oregon Vehicle Code or any chapter or
series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes
for further explanation.



(Flares)



      811.530 Failure to post warnings for disabled vehicle; application;
penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to post warnings for a
disabled vehicle if the person is the driver, or other person in charge of a
vehicle subject to this section, and the person does not cause the placement
of such roadside vehicle warning devices as the Department of Transportation
may require under ORS 815.035 when the vehicle is disabled during limited
visibility conditions and cannot immediately be removed from the main
traveled portion of a highway outside of a business district or residence
district.

      (2) This section applies only to the following vehicles:

      (a) School buses.

      (b) School activity vehicles.

      (c) Worker transport buses.

      (d) Vehicles used in transportation of persons for hire by a nonprofit
entity as provided in ORS 825.017 (9).

      (e) A bus being operated for transporting children to and from
religious services or an activity or function authorized by the religious
organization.

      (f) Commercial buses.

      (g) Motor trucks with a registration weight in excess of 8,000 pounds.

      (h) Trailers with a registration weight in excess of 8,000 pounds.

      (3) Requirements to be equipped with roadside vehicle warning devices
are contained in ORS 815.285.

      (4) The offense described in this section, failure to post warnings
for a disabled vehicle, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 ?662;
1985 c.16 ?325; 1985 c.420 ?11; 1989 c.992 ?21]