Vehicles carrying migrant agricultural workers must carry specified safety equipment, and operators may not drive unless required equipment is in good working order.
Sec. 647.012. REQUIRED VEHICLE EQUIPMENT; USE OF REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. (a) A motor vehicle used to transport migrant agricultural workers must be equipped with: (1) at least one properly mounted fire extinguisher; (2) road warning devices, including at least one red-burning fusee and at least three red flares, red electric lanterns, or red emergency reflectors; (3) coupling devices as prescribed by Subsection (c), if the vehicle is a truck tractor or dolly; and (4) tires as prescribed by Subsection (d). (b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle unless the person is satisfied that the equipment required under Subsection (a) and the following equipment is in good working order: (1) the brakes, including service brakes, trailer brake connections, and hand parking brakes; (2) lighting devices and reflectors; (3) the steering mechanism; (4) the horn; (5) each windshield wiper; and (6) each rearview mirror. (c) Adequate means must be provided positively to prevent the shifting of the lower half of each fifth wheel attached to the frame of a truck tractor or dolly. The lower half of each fifth wheel must be securely fastened to the frame by U-bolts that are of adequate size and are securely tightened. Another method may be used if the method provides equivalent security. A U-bolt may not be of welded construction and must be installed so as not to crack, warp, or deform the frame. The upper half of each fifth wheel must be fastened with at least the security required for the lower half. A locking means must be provided in each fifth wheel mechanism, including adapters when used, so that the upper and lower half will not separate without the use of a positive manual release, such as a release mechanism that the operator uses from the cab. If the fifth wheel is designed and constructed to be readily separable, the requirement for a fifth wheel coupling device applies to a vehicle manufactured after December 31, 1952. (d) Vehicle tires must be of adequate capacity to support the vehicle's gross weight. Each tire must have a tread configuration on the part of the tire that is in contact with the road and may not be so smooth as to expose any tread fabric. A tire may not have a defect likely to cause failure. A front tire may not be regrooved, recapped, or retreaded. (e) An operator shall use required equipment as necessary. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 17.34(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.