61-9-401. Horns, security alarms, and warning devices. (1) A motor vehicle when operated upon a highway must be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. A horn or other warning device may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation give audible warning with the horn but may not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway.
(2) A vehicle may not be equipped with and a person may not use upon a vehicle a siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
(3) A vehicle may be equipped with a security alarm signal device that cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal while the vehicle is in motion.
(4) An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet and of a type approved by the department. The siren may not be used except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which event the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the vehicle's approach.
History: En. Sec. 142, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-145; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations
61-9-401. Horns, security alarms, and warning devices
61-9-403. Mufflers -- prevention of noise
61-9-407. Fenders, splash aprons, or flaps required on certain vehicles -- dimension and location
61-9-408. Safety glazing material in motor vehicles
61-9-409. Seatbelts required in vehicles manufactured after 1964
61-9-411. Certain vehicles to carry flares or other warning devices
61-9-412. Display of warning devices when vehicle disabled
61-9-413. Vehicles transporting explosives
61-9-415. Slow-moving vehicles
61-9-416. Commercial tow truck definition -- requirements
61-9-417. Headgear required for minor motorcycle riders
61-9-419. "Properly restrained" defined
61-9-420. Child safety restraint systems -- standards -- exemptions
61-9-421. Certain vehicles exempt
61-9-422. Evidence admissible without presumption of negligence
61-9-424. and 61-9-425 reserved
61-9-426. Air-conditioning equipment -- use of flammable refrigerant prohibited
61-9-427. Air-conditioning equipment -- sale prohibited
61-9-428. Window tinting and sunscreening -- waiver -- conditions
61-9-429. Window tinting and sunscreening -- penalty
61-9-431. Use of warning signs, flares, reflectors, lanterns, and flag persons
61-9-432. Low-speed and medium-speed electric vehicles -- required equipment