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Lawmakers consider requiring flashers on neighborhood ice-cream trucks; further hearing requested
Summary
Representative Sharpe introduced a bipartisan bill to require additional red/amber flasher lights on trucks that primarily operate in neighborhoods to increase visibility for children; the committee asked staff to meet with the sponsor and scheduled additional discussion.
Representative Sharpe introduced House Bill 369 (LC399001), a bipartisan bill proposing safety equipment requirements for ice-cream trucks and similar neighborhood food vehicles. The sponsor said the measure — prompted by a recent child struck while returning from an ice-cream purchase — would require vehicles that primarily operate in neighborhoods to install four recessed or hooded red flasher lights and four amber flasher lights, mounted on a common horizontal center line, with a compliance period through January 2026 for retrofits.
Members asked about costs for small operators and whether an alternative such as cones or other low-cost measures might be permitted as an interim step; the sponsor said cones would create operational burdens and that the goal is added vehicle visibility to protect children who run into the street. One lawmaker asked whether the bill includes fines analogous to school-bus passing penalties; the sponsor said the bill’s current language focuses on visibility and did not include an enforcement fine provision.
Committee members asked the sponsor to meet with staff and stakeholders to refine language and the committee scheduled further consideration at a later hearing. No final committee vote on the bill occurred during the session.
