MCS Custom Motorcycle Lighting - 443-280-7006

LED Light Law for Maryland

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CHAPTER 39
(House Bill 1168)
AN ACT concerning
Vehicle Laws – Equipment on Motorcycles – Auxiliary Lighting
FOR the purpose of authorizing the use of certain auxiliary lighting on a motorcycle;
and generally relating to motorcycle lighting.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, adding to
Article – Transportation
Section 22–224.1 22–221(l)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2006 Replacement Volume and 2007 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Transportation
22–224.1.
(a) In this section, “motorcycle” includes Class M (multipurpose) vehicles
that are designated by the Administrator.
(b) The headlamp or headlamps on a motorcycle may be of the single–beam
or multiple–beam type, but in either event shall comply with the following
requirements and limitations:
(1) The headlamp or headlamps on a motorcycle shall be of sufficient
intensity to reveal a person or a vehicle at a distance of:
(i) Not less than 100 feet, when the motorcycle is operated at
any speed of less than 25 miles an hour;
(ii) Not less than 200 feet, when the motorcycle is operated at a
speed of 25 to 34 miles an hour; and
(iii) Not less than 300 feet, when the motorcycle is operated at a
speed of 35 miles an hour or more;
(2) If the motorcycle is equipped with a multiple–beam headlamp or
headlamps, the upper beam shall meet the minimum requirements set forth above and
Ch. 39 MARTIN O’MALLEY, Governor

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may not exceed the limitations set forth in § 22–222(a)(1) of this subtitle, and the
lowermost beam shall meet the requirements applicable to a lowermost distribution of
light as set forth in § 22–222(a)(2) of this subtitle; and
(3) If the motorcycle is equipped with a single–beam lamp or lamps,
the lamp or lamps shall be so aimed that, when the vehicle is loaded, none of the
high–intensity portion of light, at a distance of 25 feet ahead, projects higher than the
level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.
(C) THIS SECTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE USE OF THE FOLLOWING
NON–FLASHING AUXILIARY LIGHTING ON A MOTORCYCLE:
(1) BLUE DOT ILLUMINATION;
(2) STANDARD BULB RUNNING LIGHTS; OR
(3) LIGHT–EMITTING DIODE PODS AND STRIPS ADDED TO
PROTECT THE DRIVER.
22–221.
(L) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A
MOTORCYCLE MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH THE FOLLOWING AUXILIARY LIGHTING:
(I) BLUE DOT ILLUMINATION;
(II) STANDARD BULB RUNNING LIGHTS; OR
(III) LIGHT–EMITTING DIODE PODS AND STRIPS ADDED TO
PROTECT THE DRIVER.
(2) (I) LIGHTING UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE:
1. NONBLINKING;
2. NONFLASHING;
3. NONOSCILLATING; AND
4. DIRECTED TOWARD THE ENGINE AND THE DRIVE
TRAIN OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
(II) LIGHTING UNDER THIS SUBSECTION MAY NOT:
Ch. 39

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1. BE ATTACHED TO THE WHEELS OF THE
MOTORCYCLE; OR
2. EMIT A RED OR BLUE LIGHT.
(III) BLUE DOT ILLUMINATION:
1. MAY BE LOCATED ONLY ON THE REAR OF A
MOTORCYCLE AS PART OF OR ADJACENT TO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT; AND
2. MAY NOT EXCEED THREE–QUARTERS OF AN INCH
IN DIAMETER.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 2008.
Approved by the Governor, April 8, 2008