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House committee approves bill to allow green warning lights on RDOT maintenance vehicles
Summary
Lawmakers voted to pass House Bill 1475, which adds green warning lights to statute for roadway construction and maintenance vehicles after the transportation agency requested the clarification.
Representative Joey Carr introduced House Bill 1475 to the House Transportation Committee, asking that state statute explicitly allow green warning lights on roadway construction and maintenance vehicles used by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).
The bill sponsor said the change would codify existing practice and improve visibility. "Green lights are high visibility during fog, during rain, during snow. And when they're out there plowing, they don't want anybody to run up on them," said Representative Joey Carr (District 34). Carr told the committee ARDOT had previously obtained approval from emergency-management and public-safety agencies but wanted the allowance reflected in statute to close future gaps.
Supporters said the green lights provide better visibility in poor weather than amber or white lights, which perform differently by time of day and condition; a committee member also noted other states have adopted similar measures. No members raised substantive objections during the committee discussion. After a brief closing by Carr, the committee approved the bill by voice vote. The committee chair announced, "Congratulations. Your bill passes." No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
The bill will proceed as the committee's action indicates; the transcript does not specify subsequent steps or an implementation timeline.
Ending: The transcript records no public testimony for or against House Bill 1475 and no recorded roll-call vote; committee approval was announced by voice vote.
