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HB450 • 2026

Headlights; require motorist to use in adverse driving conditions due to adverse weather or other conditions.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OF VEHICLES SHALL BE OPERATED WHENEVER ADVERSE DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS NECESSITATE OR OTHER CONDITIONS THAT IMPEDE VISIBILITY NECESSITATE; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF ONLY THE PARKING LIGHTS OF VEHICLES DURING TIMES WHEN THE USE OF HEADLIGHTS IS REQUIRED; TO PRESCRIBE THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Nelson
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass during its session.

Using Headlights During Poor Weather or Visibility

This bill requires drivers to use headlights when driving during poor weather conditions or other situations that reduce visibility.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires vehicles to have their headlights on whenever adverse driving conditions due to bad weather or low visibility exist, even if it's not nighttime.
  • Prohibits the use of only parking lights or auxiliary lamps when headlights are required.
  • Specifies a fine for drivers who do not follow these rules.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Drivers of vehicles on public roads in Mississippi during poor visibility or bad weather conditions.

Terms To Know

Adverse driving conditions
Conditions such as rain, snow, ice, sleet, fog, and other situations that reduce visibility and require the use of windshield wipers.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during its session.
  • It specifies a fine for violations but does not provide details on how enforcement would work.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/12 (H) Referred To Transportation

Official Summary Text

Headlights; require motorist to use in adverse driving conditions due to adverse weather or other conditions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 450 *HR26/R215* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R215
PAGE 1 (DJ\KW)

To: Transportation
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Nelson

HOUSE BILL NO. 450

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
PROVIDE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OF VEHICLES SHALL BE OPERATED WHENEVER 2
ADVERSE DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS 3
NECESSITATE OR OTHER CONDITIONS THAT IMPEDE VISIBILITY 4
NECESSITATE; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF ONLY THE PARKING LIGHTS OF 5
VEHICLES DURING TIMES WHEN THE USE OF HEADLIGHTS IS REQUIRED; TO 6
PRESCRIBE THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 8
SECTION 1. Section 63-7-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 9
amended as follows: 10
63-7-11. (1) (a) Every vehicle operated upon a public 11
road, street or highway within this state during the period from 12
sunset to sunrise and at any other time when adverse driving 13
conditions exist due to adverse weather conditions or any other 14
conditions impede visibility and there is not sufficient light to 15
render clearly discernible any person on the highway at a distance 16
of five hundred (500) feet ahead shall be equipped with * * * and 17
display lights, including headlights, illuminating devices and 18
rear lamps as respectively required in Section 63-7-13 for 19
different classes of vehicles * * *, subject to exemption with 20
H. B. No. 450 *HR26/R215* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R215
PAGE 2 (DJ\KW)

reference to lights on parked vehicles as hereinafter stated in 21
this chapter. 22
(b) For purposes of this subsection, the term "adverse 23
driving conditions" means: 24
(i) Rain; 25
(ii) Snow; 26
(iii) Ice; 27
(iv) Sleet; 28
(v) Fog; 29
(vi) Any precipitation that necessitates the use 30
of windshield wipers; 31
(vii) Other adverse weather conditions; or 32
(viii) Unusual road or traffic conditions that 33
were not known, or could not reasonably be known, to a driver 34
immediately prior to beginning his or her drive. 35
(2) In those instances when the use of headlights are 36
required because of weather phenomenon producing fog, the driver 37
of vehicles operating in such conditions shall use the low beam 38
function of the vehicle's headlights system, notwithstanding the 39
simultaneous use of fog lamps on vehicles equipped with that 40
feature. 41
(3) It is unlawful for any vehicle operator to use only the 42
parking lights or auxiliary driving lamps of the vehicle during 43
any time required under subsection (1). 44
H. B. No. 450 *HR26/R215* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R215
PAGE 3 (DJ\KW)
ST: Headlights; require motorist to use in
adverse driving conditions due to adverse
weather or other conditions.
(4) Any person violating the provisions of this section is 45
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not 46
more than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), upon conviction. 47
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 48
and after July 1, 2026. 49