N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 21 § 1262.79

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 41, October 9, 2024

Section 1262.79 - Equipment

(a) General.

(1) Brakes. The brake pedal or brake lever shall have a reserve of one-third the distance of travel when applied. Vehicles equipped with air or vacuum operated brakes shall be fitted with an audible warning device mounted within the cab to indicate to the driver, deficient air or vacuum for safe operations.

(2) Reflectors. All automotive vehicles and mobile equipment (except passenger cars and motorcycles), shall be equipped with eight reflectors. Automotive vehicles shall have four red reflectors; two on the rear and two on the rear sides, and four amber reflectors; two on the front and two on the front sides. Mobile equipment shall have red reflectors on all sides. All reflectors shall be at least three inches in diameter set to indicate the width and length of the vehicle, and deemed adequate when so designed, located and maintained as to be visible for at least 500 feet when opposed by a vehicle displaying ordinary headlights. Reflecting material may be used to supplement but not replace approved reflectors.

(3) Exhaust systems.

(i) Internal combustion engines used on vehicles, shall be fitted with either a standard baffle type muffler or muffler fitted with an approved spark arrestor.

(ii) Mufflers, exhaust pipes and spark arrestors shall be maintained in good repair; spark arrestors shall be periodically cleaned of carbon accumulation.

(iii) Tire and wheel mountings. Tire and wheel mounting, lugs, bolts, nuts or fittings, shall be maintained tight, in good repair and in the number required to mount the tire or wheel.

(iv) The coupling device shall be positive locking and released through manual action only for any combination of vehicles.

(b) Automotive vehicles.

(1) Brakes. Every automotive vehicle shall have brakes which are capable of bringing the vehicle or combination of vehicles to a full stop when operated at 20 mph on dry pavement on level ground within the following distances from the point where such brakes are first applied:

(i) 2 Wheel brakes--45 feet

(ii) 4 Wheel brakes--30 feet

(iii) Hand or parking brake--75 feet

A hand or parking brake shall be required on all automotive vehicles and shall be adequate to hold the vehicle or combination of vehicles stationary on any grade upon which operated.

(2) Headlights. Every automotive vehicle except a motorcycle shall be equipped with at least two electrically operated headlights set in a fixed position, fitted with focusing lenses to reduce glare and control focus, projecting either white or yellow light.

(3) Rear lights. All automotive vehicles shall be equipped with at least one electrically operated lamp on the rear, set not less than 15 inches above the ground, which shall display a red light visible for a distance of at least 500 feet.

(4) Omni-directional light. All automotive vehicles (See section 1262.70(i), supra,Special Equipment) over seven feet high used on loading ramps shall be equipped with a 360 degree omni-directional electronically lighted amber non-rotating lamp (on all emergency equipment; a red rotating lamp) at least three inches in diameter installed on the topmost portion of the equipment.

(5) Signal lights.

(i) All automotive vehicles shall be equipped with approved stop lights and turn signals. Turn signals shall be a flashing, pattern turn signal controlled by the operator of the vehicle and shall be mounted on the front and rear of vehicles. Vehicles used for towing shall have the stop lights and turn signals so positioned that they will be visible from the front and rear even when towing the maximum amount of equipment.

(ii) Turn signals (directional signals) must be fixed to convert to front and back flashing emergency lights.

(6) Horn. Every automotive vehicle shall be provided with a horn for signaling. Whistles, bells, musical horns, sirens or devices attached to the exhaust system of an automotive vehicle are prohibited.

(7) Wiring. All wiring on automotive vehicles shall be insulated, located and fastened so as to avoid chaffing and damage to the insulating material.

(8) Windshield and wipers. Every automotive vehicle with a windshield shall be equipped with at least one mechanically operated wiper, located on the operator's side of the vehicle, which wiper shall be maintained in operating condition at all times.

(9) Steering mechanism. Every automotive vehicle shall have a steering mechanism in good working order, which shall be sufficient to control such vehicle at all times when the same is in use, and which steering mechanism shall not have excessive stiffness or play.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 21 § 1262.79