§ 27-37-202 — Horns and warning devices - Flashing lights on emergency vehicles

(a) (1) (A) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall 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 feet (200'). (B) No horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. (2) When reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation, the driver of a motor vehicle shall give audible warning with his or her horn but shall not otherwise use the horn when upon a public street or highway. (b) (1) No vehicle shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle, any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section. (2) It is permissible, but not required, that commercial vehicles may be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal. (3) (A) Every authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet (500') and of a type approved by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. (B) (i) Except as provided under § 27-51-906 , the driver of an emergency vehicle shall sound a warning device: (a) When necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers that the emergency vehicle is approaching; and (b) While the emergency vehicle is being operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law. (ii) The warning device shall not be used by the driver of an emergency vehicle except when the emergency vehicle is being operated as required under subdivision (b)(3)(B)(i) of this section. (c) (1) Every authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with signal lamps in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this subchapter. These lamps shall be mounted as high and be as widely spaced laterally as practicable. The vehicle shall be capable of displaying to the front two (2) alternately flashing red lights located at the same level and to the rear two (2) alternately flashing red lights located at the same level. (2) These lights shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred feet (500') in normal sunlight. (d) A police vehicle, when used as an authorized emergency vehicle, may, but need not, be equipped with alternately flashing red lights specified in this section. (e) The use of the signal equipment described in this section shall impose upon drivers of other vehicles the obligation to yield right-of-way and to stop as prescribed in § 27-51-901 .

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2017, No. 793,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2017. Amended by Act 2017, No. 707,§ 338, eff. 8/1/2017. Acts 1937, No. 300, § 125; Pope's Dig., § 6785; Acts 1959, No. 307, § 47; A.S.A. 1947, § 75-725; Acts 2003, No. 1155, § 1.