Florida Statute 316.237 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES

Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL

View Entire Chapter

F.S. 316.237

316.237 Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.—

(1) Except as hereinafter provided, the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations and such lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:

(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 450 feet ahead for all conditions of loading.

(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.

An object, material, or covering that alters the headlamp’s visibility from at least 450 feet for an uppermost distribution of light or at least 150 feet for a lowermost distribution of light may not be placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied over a headlamp.

(2) Every new motor vehicle registered in this state shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlamps is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. Said indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.

(3) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.

History.—s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 186, ch. 99-248; s. 13, ch. 2000-313.

F.S. 316.237 on Google Scholar

F.S. 316.237 on Casetext

Amendments to 316.237

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 316.237

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 316.237.

Civil Citations / Citable Offenses under S316.237

R or S next to points is Mandatory Revocation or Suspension

S316.237 HEADLIGHTS - IMPROPER distribution/adjustment/visibility - Points on Drivers License: 0

S316.237 (1) Headlight/Auxiliary/Driver/Passenger Lamp Select - Points on Drivers License: 0

S316.237 (1)(a) Upper beam Improper adjustment/distribution - Points on Drivers License: 0

S316.237 (1)(b) Lower beam Improper adjustment/distribution - Points on Drivers License: 0

S316.237 (2) Beam indicator none/improper - Points on Drivers License: 0

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 316.237

Total Results: 3

Solar Dynamics, Inc. v. Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, P.C.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2017-02-08

Citation: 211 So. 3d 294, 2017 WL 519314, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 1506

Snippet: and inwardly toward an apex.” U.S. Patent No. 7,316,237 (filed Apr. 27, 2006). 3 . The trial

JUNGER UTILITY & PAVING CO. INC. v. Myers

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1991-05-08

Citation: 578 So. 2d 1117, 1989 WL 139127

Snippet: reconstructionist could not rely upon section 316.237, Florida Statutes, for an assumption that the headlights

State v. Clark

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1987-08-24

Citation: 511 So. 2d 726, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 2056, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 10084

Snippet: of light, or composite beam, specified in ss. 316.237(l)(b) and 316.430(2)(b) shall be deemed to avoid