CHAPTER 5. HORNS AND EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNALS
IC 9-19-5
Chapter 5. Horns and Emergency Warning Signals
IC 9-19-5-1
Necessity of horn; audibility
Sec. 1. A motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, must be
equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting
sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less
than two hundred (200) feet. However, a horn or other warning
device may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a
whistle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-5-2
Use of horn during operation of vehicle
Sec. 2. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably
necessary to ensure safe operation, give audible warning with the
horn on the motor vehicle but may not otherwise use the horn when
upon a highway.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-5-3
Equipping vehicle with sirens, whistles, or bells; exemption
Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b):
(1) a vehicle may not be equipped with; and
(2) a person may not use upon a vehicle;
a siren, whistle, or bell.
(b) An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a
siren, whistle, or bell that is capable of emitting sound audible under
normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500)
feet and of a type approved by the department. A siren authorized
under this section may not be used except when the vehicle is
operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit
of an actual or suspected violation of the law. The person who drives
a vehicle equipped with a siren under this section shall sound the
siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other
persons who are driving vehicles of the approach of the authorized
vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.1-1991, SEC.85.
IC 9-19-5-4
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.1-1991, SEC.86.)
IC 9-19-5-5
Theft alarms
Sec. 5. A commercial vehicle may be equipped with a theft alarm
signal device that cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary
warning signal.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-5-6
Emergency warning signals
Sec. 6. (a) A person may not operate a motor truck, passenger bus,
or truck-tractor upon a highway outside the corporate limits of a
municipality from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before
sunrise unless the vehicle carries the following equipment:
(1) At least three (3):
(A) flares (liquid-burning pot torches);
(B) red electric lanterns; or
(C) portable red emergency reflectors;
each of which must be capable of being seen and distinguished
at a distance of not less than six hundred (600) feet under
normal atmospheric conditions at nighttime.
(2) At least three (3) red-burning fuses unless red electric
lanterns or red portable emergency reflectors are carried.
(3) At least two (2) red-cloth flags, not less than twelve (12)
inches square, with standards to support the flags.
(b) A flare (liquid-burning pot torch), fusee, electric lantern, or
cloth warning flag may not be used to comply with this section
unless the equipment has been submitted to and approved by the
director of traffic safety.
(c) A portable reflector unit may not be used to comply with this
section unless the unit:
(1) is designed and constructed to include two (2) reflecting
elements, one (1) above the other, each of which must be
capable of reflecting red light clearly visible from all distances
within six hundred (600) feet to one hundred (100) feet under
normal atmospheric conditions at night when directly in front
of lawful upper beams of head lamps; and
(2) has been submitted to and approved by the director of traffic
safety.
(d) A person may not operate at the time and under conditions
stated in subsection (a) a:
(1) motor vehicle used for the transportation of explosives;
(2) cargo tank truck used for the transportation of flammable
liquids or compressed gases; or
(3) motor vehicle using compressed gas as a fuel;
unless three (3) red electric lanterns or three (3) portable red
emergency reflectors are carried in the vehicle that meet the
requirements of subsection (a). A person may not carry in such a
vehicle a flare, fusee, or signal produced by flame.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-5-7
United States Department of Transportation regulations;
classification of violations
Sec. 7. (a) This section does not apply to a person who owns or
operates a vehicle or combination of vehicles that:
(1) contains parts and accessories; and
(2) is equipped;
as required under regulations of the United States Department of
Transportation.
(b) A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C
infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.