If you read the package that the lights came in, I'll bet it states For Off
Road Use Only (or something to that fact).
"John S. Ferris" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:lMZNa.20355$Ix2.9970@rwcrnsc54... My son has a car with blue neon lights under the car - a policeman told
him these were illegal to use while driving...subject to a $150.00 fine....
I've read the Texas transportation code, but can't find where this was
illegal... 547.305 , which I believe the policeman is referencing doesn't apply as these lights are not a "beacon, flashing or alternating light" and they
are not more than 300 candlepower nor striking the roadway more than 75 feet from the vehicle. Can anyone tell me the statute that makes the use of these lights illegal...there probably is one, but I can't find it - but them, I'm no Clarence Darrow! Thanks.
JF
07-11-2003, 09:20 PM
The lights were installed by a custom shop - I never saw that package.....
As noted, I've scoured the Texas transportation codes and can't find where
it is illegal, although a friend who is a policewoman says they teach them
it is - but she can't seem to give me the exact statute that makes it
illegal.
I suspect they are misinterpreting the actual Texas codes - but I don't
think I want to argue it before a judge!
"Thin Blue Line402" <thin_blue_line402@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:i2xPa.41418$C83.3268868@newsread1.prod.itd.ea rthlink.net... Sorry, forgot something.... If you read the package that the lights came in, I'll bet it states For
Off Road Use Only (or something to that fact). "John S. Ferris" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message news:lMZNa.20355$Ix2.9970@rwcrnsc54... My son has a car with blue neon lights under the car - a policeman told him these were illegal to use while driving...subject to a $150.00 fine.... I've read the Texas transportation code, but can't find where this was illegal... 547.305 , which I believe the policeman is referencing doesn't apply as these lights are not a "beacon, flashing or alternating light" and they are not more than 300 candlepower nor striking the roadway more than 75 feet from the vehicle. Can anyone tell me the statute that makes the use of these lights illegal...there probably is one, but I can't find it - but them, I'm no Clarence Darrow! Thanks.
(a) A motor vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp,
spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or school
bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity brighter than 300
candlepower shall be directed so that no part of the high-intensity portion
of the beam strikes the roadway at a distance of more than 75 feet from the
vehicle.
(b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not operate or move
equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle, with a lamp or device
that displays a red light visible from directly in front of the center of
the equipment or vehicle.
(c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a red, white, or
blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless the equipment is:
(1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter; or
(2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp, or turn signal lamp
that is used as authorized by law.
I will not try to interpret this statute, as I am not an atty, but my
thoughts are that it is legal. The ground effects lighting should be well
under 300cp, it is not a beacon flashing or alternating and it is not red
visible from the front of the vehicle. Now, you should do more research and
find out what the law is on possession of such a light. Here the law is
specific, no blue light is to be possessed, installed or operated in a POV
(Certain exception do apply). And it is a criminal charge not motor
vehicle.
Good luck
"JF" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:A0MPa.37171$OZ2.6780@rwcrnsc54... The lights were installed by a custom shop - I never saw that package..... As noted, I've scoured the Texas transportation codes and can't find where it is illegal, although a friend who is a policewoman says they teach them it is - but she can't seem to give me the exact statute that makes it illegal. I suspect they are misinterpreting the actual Texas codes - but I don't think I want to argue it before a judge! "Thin Blue Line402" <thin_blue_line402@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:i2xPa.41418$C83.3268868@newsread1.prod.itd.ea rthlink.net... Sorry, forgot something.... If you read the package that the lights came in, I'll bet it states For Off Road Use Only (or something to that fact). "John S. Ferris" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message news:lMZNa.20355$Ix2.9970@rwcrnsc54... My son has a car with blue neon lights under the car - a policeman
told him these were illegal to use while driving...subject to a $150.00
fine.... I've read the Texas transportation code, but can't find where this was illegal... 547.305 , which I believe the policeman is referencing doesn't apply
as these lights are not a "beacon, flashing or alternating light" and
they are not more than 300 candlepower nor striking the roadway more than 75
feet from the vehicle. Can anyone tell me the statute that makes the use of these lights illegal...there probably is one, but I can't find it - but them, I'm
no Clarence Darrow! Thanks.
JF
07-12-2003, 12:22 PM
Thanks for this info:
Here the law is
specific, no blue light is to be possessed, installed or operated in a POV
(Certain exception do apply). And it is a criminal charge not motor
vehicle.
Thin Blue : Where did you find that possession of the blue light is
illegal - I'd love to read that statute, also!
Thanks for all your help!
"Thin Blue Line402" <thin_blue_line402@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ssNPa.96356$Io.8305495@newsread2.prod.itd.ear thlink.net... http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/tr/tr0054700.html#tr023.547.305 Texas Motor Vehicle Law states: § 547.305. Restrictions on Use of Lights (a) A motor vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp, spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity brighter than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of the high-intensity
portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a distance of more than 75 feet from
the vehicle. (b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not operate or
move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle, with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle. (c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a red, white,
or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless the equipment is: (1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter; or (2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp, or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law. I will not try to interpret this statute, as I am not an atty, but my thoughts are that it is legal. The ground effects lighting should be well under 300cp, it is not a beacon flashing or alternating and it is not red visible from the front of the vehicle. Now, you should do more research
and find out what the law is on possession of such a light. Here the law is specific, no blue light is to be possessed, installed or operated in a POV (Certain exception do apply). And it is a criminal charge not motor vehicle. Good luck "JF" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message news:A0MPa.37171$OZ2.6780@rwcrnsc54... The lights were installed by a custom shop - I never saw that
package..... As noted, I've scoured the Texas transportation codes and can't find
where it is illegal, although a friend who is a policewoman says they teach
them it is - but she can't seem to give me the exact statute that makes it illegal. I suspect they are misinterpreting the actual Texas codes - but I don't think I want to argue it before a judge! "Thin Blue Line402" <thin_blue_line402@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:i2xPa.41418$C83.3268868@newsread1.prod.itd.ea rthlink.net... Sorry, forgot something.... If you read the package that the lights came in, I'll bet it states
For Off Road Use Only (or something to that fact). "John S. Ferris" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message news:lMZNa.20355$Ix2.9970@rwcrnsc54... > My son has a car with blue neon lights under the car - a policeman told him > these were illegal to use while driving...subject to a $150.00 fine.... I've > read the Texas transportation code, but can't find where this was illegal... > 547.305 , which I believe the policeman is referencing doesn't apply as > these lights are not a "beacon, flashing or alternating light" and they are > not more than 300 candlepower nor striking the roadway more than 75 feet > from the vehicle. > Can anyone tell me the statute that makes the use of these lights > illegal...there probably is one, but I can't find it - but them, I'm no > Clarence Darrow! > > Thanks. > > >
Thin Blue Line402
07-12-2003, 01:14 PM
Understand that is NC law.
Here is is.
NC GS 20-130.1 (c)
(c) It is unlawful for any person to possess a blue light or
to install, activate, or operate a blue light in or on any
vehicle in this State, except for a publicly owned vehicle used
for law enforcement purposes or any other vehicle when used by
law enforcement officers in the performance of their official
duties.
--
"JF" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:PdZPa.45681$ye4.35433@sccrnsc01... Thanks for this info: Here the law is specific, no blue light is to be possessed, installed or operated in a POV (Certain exception do apply). And it is a criminal charge not motor vehicle. Thin Blue : Where did you find that possession of the blue light is illegal - I'd love to read that statute, also! Thanks for all your help! "Thin Blue Line402" <thin_blue_line402@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:ssNPa.96356$Io.8305495@newsread2.prod.itd.ear thlink.net... http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/tr/tr0054700.html#tr023.547.305 Texas Motor Vehicle Law states: § 547.305. Restrictions on Use of Lights (a) A motor vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp, spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or
school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity brighter than
300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle. (b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle, with a lamp or
device that displays a red light visible from directly in front of the center
of the equipment or vehicle. (c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless the equipment is: (1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter; or (2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp, or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law. I will not try to interpret this statute, as I am not an atty, but my thoughts are that it is legal. The ground effects lighting should be
well under 300cp, it is not a beacon flashing or alternating and it is not
red visible from the front of the vehicle. Now, you should do more research and find out what the law is on possession of such a light. Here the law is specific, no blue light is to be possessed, installed or operated in a
POV (Certain exception do apply). And it is a criminal charge not motor vehicle. Good luck "JF" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message news:A0MPa.37171$OZ2.6780@rwcrnsc54... The lights were installed by a custom shop - I never saw that package..... As noted, I've scoured the Texas transportation codes and can't find where it is illegal, although a friend who is a policewoman says they teach them it is - but she can't seem to give me the exact statute that makes it illegal. I suspect they are misinterpreting the actual Texas codes - but I
don't think I want to argue it before a judge! "Thin Blue Line402" <thin_blue_line402@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:i2xPa.41418$C83.3268868@newsread1.prod.itd.ea rthlink.net... > Sorry, forgot something.... > > If you read the package that the lights came in, I'll bet it states For Off > Road Use Only (or something to that fact). > > "John S. Ferris" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message > news:lMZNa.20355$Ix2.9970@rwcrnsc54... > > My son has a car with blue neon lights under the car - a policeman told > him > > these were illegal to use while driving...subject to a $150.00 fine.... > I've > > read the Texas transportation code, but can't find where this was > illegal... > > 547.305 , which I believe the policeman is referencing doesn't
apply as > > these lights are not a "beacon, flashing or alternating light" and they > are > > not more than 300 candlepower nor striking the roadway more than
75 feet > > from the vehicle. > > Can anyone tell me the statute that makes the use of these lights > > illegal...there probably is one, but I can't find it - but them,
I'm no > > Clarence Darrow! > > > > Thanks. > > > > > > > >
Ruger
07-12-2003, 01:21 PM
Here is the law. You can get out of the ticket, just show where the lights
are DOT approved and comply with the Standard.
547.3215. Use of Federal Standard
Unless specifically prohibited by this chapter, lighting, reflective
devices, and associated equipment on a vehicle or motor vehicle must comply
with:
(1) the current federal standards in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.108; or
(2) the federal standards in that section in effect, if any, at the time the
vehicle or motor vehicle was manufactured.
"JF" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:JbZPa.45670$ye4.35761@sccrnsc01... I've actually tried - I drove around town past multiple police cars in his car with those lights on - they won't stop ME - but sure as Dallas, they will stop a teenager doing the same ---- I have read and reread the texas code ...305 cited above and nothing in it applies to undercar lights that are not "beacons, flashing, or lternating" --- that is the code I think they are using to say they are
not legal, but I'll have to run it by a judge I guess when he does finally get cited! Actually, I"ve told him to just keep them off while driving, but I wasn't born yesterday! "Red Cloud" <redcloud@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:n190hvsqjha8a7ld2kbu27vad60m1ni8vl@4ax.com... On Sat, 12 Jul 2003 04:20:48 GMT, "JF" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote:I suspect they are misinterpreting the actual Texas codes - but I don'tthink I want to argue it before a judge! Go get a ticket for it, it'll have the number of the code on it.
Thin Blue Line402
07-12-2003, 01:28 PM
Please refer to 14-277 (a)3 & (a)4, (b)4 & (b)5. Also note that (a)4 and
(b)5 are felony offenses.
NCGS
§ 14-277. Impersonation of a law-enforcement or other public
officer.
(a)No person shall falsely represent to another that he
is a sworn law-enforcement officer. As used in this section, a
person represents that he is a sworn law-enforcement officer if
he:
(1) Verbally informs another that he is a sworn
law-enforcement officer, whether or not the
representation refers to a particular agency;
(2) Displays any badge or identification signifying to
a reasonable individual that the person is a sworn
law-enforcement officer, whether or not the badge
or other identification refers to a particular
law-enforcement agency;
(3) Unlawfully operates a vehicle on a public street,
highway or public vehicular area with an operating
red light as defined in G.S. 20-130.1(a); or
(4) Unlawfully operates a vehicle on a public street,
highway, or public vehicular area with an operating
blue light as defined in G.S. 20-130.1(c).
(b) No person shall, while falsely representing to another
that he is a sworn law-enforcement officer, carry out any act in
accordance with the authority granted to a law-enforcement
officer. For purposes of this section, an act in accordance with
the authority granted to a law-enforcement officer includes:
(1) Ordering any person to remain at or leave from a
particular place or area;
(2) Detaining or arresting any person;
(3) Searching any vehicle, building, or premises,
whether public or private, with or without a search
warrant or administrative inspection warrant;
(4) Unlawfully operating a vehicle on a public street
or highway or public vehicular area equipped with
an operating red light or siren in such a manner as
to cause a reasonable person to yield the
right-of-way or to stop his vehicle in obedience to
such red light or siren;
(5) Unlawfully operating a vehicle on a public street
or highway or public vehicular area equipped with
an operating blue light in such a manner as to
cause a reasonable person to yield the right-of-way
or to stop his vehicle in obedience to such blue
light.
(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any person from
detaining another as provided by G.S. 15A-404 or assisting a
law-enforcement officer as provided by G.S. 15A-405.
(d) Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 712,
s. 1.
(d1)Violations under this section are punishable as follows:
(1) A violation of subdivision (a)(1), (2), or (3) is a
Class 1 misdemeanor.
(2) A violation of subdivision (b)(1), (2), (3), or (4)
is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Notwithstanding the
disposition in G.S. 15A-1340.23, the court may
impose an intermediate punishment on a person
sentenced under this subdivision.
(3) A violation of subdivision (a)(4) is a Class I
felony.
(4) A violation of subdivision (b)(5) is a Class H
felony.
--
Thomas Dorsey
"JF" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:PdZPa.45681$ye4.35433@sccrnsc01... Thanks for this info: Here the law is specific, no blue light is to be possessed, installed or operated in a POV (Certain exception do apply). And it is a criminal charge not motor vehicle. Thin Blue : Where did you find that possession of the blue light is illegal - I'd love to read that statute, also! Thanks for all your help! "Thin Blue Line402" <thin_blue_line402@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:ssNPa.96356$Io.8305495@newsread2.prod.itd.ear thlink.net... http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/tr/tr0054700.html#tr023.547.305 Texas Motor Vehicle Law states: § 547.305. Restrictions on Use of Lights (a) A motor vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp, spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or
school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity brighter than
300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle. (b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle, with a lamp or
device that displays a red light visible from directly in front of the center
of the equipment or vehicle. (c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless the equipment is: (1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter; or (2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp, or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law. I will not try to interpret this statute, as I am not an atty, but my thoughts are that it is legal. The ground effects lighting should be
well under 300cp, it is not a beacon flashing or alternating and it is not
red visible from the front of the vehicle. Now, you should do more research and find out what the law is on possession of such a light. Here the law is specific, no blue light is to be possessed, installed or operated in a
POV (Certain exception do apply). And it is a criminal charge not motor vehicle. Good luck "JF" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message news:A0MPa.37171$OZ2.6780@rwcrnsc54... The lights were installed by a custom shop - I never saw that package..... As noted, I've scoured the Texas transportation codes and can't find where it is illegal, although a friend who is a policewoman says they teach them it is - but she can't seem to give me the exact statute that makes it illegal. I suspect they are misinterpreting the actual Texas codes - but I
don't think I want to argue it before a judge! "Thin Blue Line402" <thin_blue_line402@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:i2xPa.41418$C83.3268868@newsread1.prod.itd.ea rthlink.net... > Sorry, forgot something.... > > If you read the package that the lights came in, I'll bet it states For Off > Road Use Only (or something to that fact). > > "John S. Ferris" <johnsferris@comcast.net> wrote in message > news:lMZNa.20355$Ix2.9970@rwcrnsc54... > > My son has a car with blue neon lights under the car - a policeman told > him > > these were illegal to use while driving...subject to a $150.00 fine.... > I've > > read the Texas transportation code, but can't find where this was > illegal... > > 547.305 , which I believe the policeman is referencing doesn't
apply as > > these lights are not a "beacon, flashing or alternating light" and they > are > > not more than 300 candlepower nor striking the roadway more than
75 feet > > from the vehicle. > > Can anyone tell me the statute that makes the use of these lights > > illegal...there probably is one, but I can't find it - but them,
I'm no > > Clarence Darrow! > > > > Thanks. > > > > > > > >
