Law: Keep windshield view clear

LITTLE ROCK — Dear Mahatma: I write in regard to signs and stickers liberally placed on vehicle windows. What are the laws regarding the placement of such vision-blocking stuff? Does any lawenforcement agency ever issue citations for whatever laws apply to window signs? — R. Robert

Dear R.: Arkansas Code Annotated 27-37-302 — “Windshields, etc., to be unobstructed” — says in essence that no sign, poster or other nontransparent material should be put on the front windshield, side wings, side or rear windows if it obstructs the driver’s view.

We checked with Tonie Shields, administrator of the Office of Driver Services, to learn if tickets for such a violation were issued. Her agency’s database lists 36 tickets written in 2011 for violation of good old 27-37-302, and 28 thus far this year. (It’s good to have a database.)

Footnote: The act dates to 1937, when side wings were ... what in the world is a side wing?

Dear Mahatma: What is the law concerning horse and wagon on state roads? Liability insurance? License? — Out in the Country

Dear Out: First, a message to readers — yes, this is an actual question; no, we don’t make up these questions.

Let’s start with Roger Duren of the Department of Finance and Administration. He noted that the department’s Office of Motor Vehicle and Office of Driver Services register motor vehicles and issue licenses to the operators of those vehicles. He didn’t say this, but we will: A horse is not a motor vehicle.

On to law enforcement. Capt. Keith Eremea of Troop A of the Arkansas State Police pondered the question and found the answer in Arkansas Code Annotated 27-49-111, “Use of bicycles or animals.”

Says the statute: “Every person riding a bicycle or an animal, or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway, shall have all the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.”

It appears that drivers of motor vehicles also have duties regarding horses. Arkansas Code Annotated 27-51-1407, “Stopping for frightened horses,” says that when an approaching motor vehicle frightens a horse, “it shall be the duty of the person driving or conducting the motor vehicle to cause it to come to a full stop until the horse shall have passed and, if necessary, assist in preventing an accident.”

Note to party dudes:

Law enforcement will intensify its effort against drunken driving. Enforcement will include saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints, the Arkansas State Police said in a news release.

In the Little Rock area, Eremea plans for sobriety checkpoints on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and saturation patrols along well-traveled highways. Eremea asks that people who see intoxicated drivers call Troop A at (501) 618-8282.

Mahatma@arkansasonline.com