(1) Auxiliary lamps that are fog lamps or
adverse weather lamps may not be used in lieu of headlamps during those times
when headlamps are required except as expressly allowed by s.
347.26(3),
Stats. Other auxiliary lamps may not be used in lieu of headlamps.
(2) Unless specifically permitted by this
chapter or by ch. 347, Stats., no motor vehicle may be operated upon a highway
with a lighted auxiliary lamp unless the auxiliary lamp:
(a) Is mounted below the level of the center
of the headlamps, except that when added equipment, such as a snow plow, blocks
the transmission of light from factory installed headlights, alternate
headlights may be mounted above the factory installed headlights and may
temporarily be used during the time the light obstructing equipment is in
place.
(b) Directs light forward of
the vehicle.
(c) Every auxiliary
lamp shall be properly aimed so as to conform with manufacturers
recommendations, and so that glaring light rays from the auxiliary lamp are not
directed into the eyes of an approaching driver.
(d) Meets the photometric specifications in
SAE technical reports J581, J582 and J583 for auxiliary driving lamps,
auxiliary low beam lamps or front fog lamps.
Note: SAE Standard J581 was approved in March 1979 and
completely revised by the Lighting Coordinating Committee in June 1989. SAE
Recommended Practice J582 was approved in January 1981 and completely revised
by the Lighting Committee in September 1984. SAE Standard J583 was approved in
May 1937 and completely revised by the Lighting Committee in July 1977 with an
editorial change in May 1981. The SAE standards, published in the 1994 SAE
Handbook, are available in the offices of the Department of Transportation, the
Secretary of State, and the Legislative Reference Bureau. These standards may
also be purchased from the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400
Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.
(3) Whenever the operator of a vehicle
equipped with auxiliary lamps projecting a beam beyond that of the vehicle's
low beam headlamps approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, or
approaches or follows another vehicle within 500 feet, the operator shall
extinguish the auxiliary lamps in order to prevent glaring rays being directed
into the eyes of the operator of another vehicle.
(4) Adverse weather lamps shall be mounted
below a horizontal line between the centers of the headlamps. If equipped with
2 adverse weather lamps, they shall be mounted on the same horizontal plane and
on opposite sides of the center of the vehicle.
(5) Motor vehicles may be equipped with
auxiliary off-road lamps that may face to the front or rear of the vehicle. The
lamps shall be wired independently of all other lighting circuits and may not
be lighted when the vehicle is operated or driven upon a highway.
Notes
Wis. Admin. Code
Department of Transportation
Trans 305.075
Cr. Register, February,
1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1) and (5), renum. (2) (c) to be (2) (d), Cr.
(2) (c), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff.
11-1-97.
