Strobes in Taillights Revisited

mcsar1

I received several heated responses to my opposition to using hideaway strobes in taillights. My contention was and is that they are not only dangerous when used while a vehicle is in motion, they are also illegal. Alabama, as well as most other states, base their DOT and MV laws on federal standards and I have posted Ala Title 32 regarding this subject:

Section 32-5-241
(2) A stop lamp shall be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of 100 feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime and a signal lamp or lamps indicating intention to turn shall be visible and understandable during daytime and nighttime from a distance of 100 feet both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop lamp or other signal lamps, such lamp or lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light.

Section 32-5-252
Approval of lighting devices; prohibited lamps and devices; regulations; lists of approved devices to be published.
(a) No person shall have for sale, or offer for sale for use upon or as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, or use upon any such vehicle any head lamp, auxiliary or fog lamp, rear lamp, signal lamp or reflector, which reflector is required hereunder, or parts of any of the foregoing which tend to change the original design or performance, unless of a type which has been submitted to the director and approved by him.

Section 32-5A-58
Following emergency vehicle prohibited.
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any authorized emergency vehicle traveling in response to an emergency call closer than 500 feet or stop such vehicle within 500 feet of any authorized emergency vehicle stopped in answer to an emergency call.

As with ALL laws, they are subject to individual interpretation and implimentation. MP

RFJammed

I wonder what the legal definition of \"dazzling\" is. :>

RFJammed

What the heck is the voice crap in the background?

mcsar1

VOICE CRAP?

duncanville1

[quote:2f7888664b=\"RFJammed\"]What the heck is the voice crap in the background?

Posted: Tue 22-Nov-2005 13:31 Post subject:

There's the video, then there's the music.. and then there's the voice. Maybe it goes with the music. I dunno, it sounds totally out of place.

Posted: Tue 22-Nov-2005 13:34 Post subject:

definately off my meds!

Posted: Tue 22-Nov-2005 13:35 Post subject: Re:

[quote:96b948dd4f=\"RFJammed\"]There's the video, then there's the music.. and then there's the voice. Maybe it goes with the music. I dunno, it sounds totally out of place.

Posted: Tue 22-Nov-2005 13:36 Post subject:

Here in Oregon, most law enforcement agencies use hide-a-way strobes in the reverse (clear) or brake light housings of their patrol cars. I understand the concern with the placing them in the reverse light housing, but the brake light housing doesn't seem to be a problem for agencies around here. Just my $.02

Posted: Wed 23-Nov-2005 17:00 Post subject:

Another good reason why all vehicals built after 1990 have a third brake light. And the 500ft rule also should cancel out the light one. I know my defence for someone who rear ended me with my lights on would be that they were within the 500 feet of my vehical. But thats irrelevant. But I do see where they are coming from. Its like responding with your hazards on. People don't know where you are going. I always try and use my directionals when I respond although that is probably the last thing the average joe driver would see. And I guess if it is illeagel then about 90% of all police crusiers in the country should be marked OOS! Ok I am done with my random thoughts, Stan

Posted: Wed 23-Nov-2005 17:25 Post subject:

Just as I previously stated \"As with ALL laws, they are subject to individual interpretation and implimentation\". Just because 90% of the departments use strobes in their taillights, this doesnt mean it's legal or smart. In fact, My own department permits individual Deputies to do this to their cruisers. However, part of my job is to keep the department out of litigation and this topic has been widely discussed. As a result, most of the Deputies have removed them from the vehicles, or at least moved them to the backup lights. Most of our cars now are using strobes or leds in the rear window in addition to the Whelen strobe bars on the roof. I would also like to point out that I have received reports from some volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members that they were given verbal or written warnings about this from Alabama State Troopers. I am not aware of any citations.

Posted: Wed 23-Nov-2005 21:27 Post subject: Re:

[quote:c31cc3db3e=\"mcsar1\"]Just as I previously stated \"As with ALL laws, they are subject to individual interpretation and implimentation\". Just because 90% of the departments use strobes in their taillights, this doesnt mean it's legal or smart. In fact, My own department permits individual Deputies to do this to their cruisers. However, part of my job is to keep the department out of litigation and this topic has been widely discussed. As a result, most of the Deputies have removed them from the vehicles, or at least moved them to the backup lights. Most of our cars now are using strobes or leds in the rear window in addition to the Whelen strobe bars on the roof. I would also like to point out that I have received reports from some volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members that they were given verbal or written warnings about this from Alabama State Troopers. I am not aware of any citations.

Posted: Thu 24-Nov-2005 05:24 Post subject:

Your opposition is irrelevent in Virginia. \"Code of Virginia � 46.2-1029.2. Certain vehicles may be equipped with secondary warning lights. In addition to other lights authorized by this article any (i) fire apparatus, (ii) government-owned vehicle operated on official business by a local fire chief or other local fire official, and (iii) rescue squad vehicle, ambulance, or any other emergency medical vehicle may be equipped with alternating, blinking, or flashing red or red and white secondary warning lights mounted inside the vehicle's taillights or marker lights of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police.\"

Posted: Thu 24-Nov-2005 09:33 Post subject:

Hooray for Virginia. At least your state spells it out in black and white so there is no question. That's the way laws are supposed to be written. As for my opposition, it is based on the safety aspect and current ALABAMA law, which I am sworn to uphold. MP

Posted: Fri 25-Nov-2005 21:14 Post subject:

Reading this topic, is it then illegal for Ford to advertise and sell the Visibility Package in Alabama?

Posted: Fri 25-Nov-2005 22:13 Post subject:

Yes and no. If you uphold the Alabama law as written, then it is illegal. However, the Director of the Department of Public Safety has the ability to approve and authorize the use of non-standard vehicular equipment (reference \"unless of a type which has been submitted to the director and approved by him\"). Since the Alabama DPS, ABI and numerous other agencies purchase Crown Vics with the Visibility Package, I assume that the Director has in fact approved it for use.

Posted: Sat 26-Nov-2005 18:10 Post subject: Re:

[quote:37f93efba9=\"duncanville1\"][quote:37f93efba9=\"RFJammed\"]What the heck is the voice crap in the background?

Posted: Sat 26-Nov-2005 19:23 Post subject:

I think you maybe reading to much this when you try and apply it to HAW strobes. The codes you quote seem to appply more to the function of the lamp then the housing and other lamps that might be housed with in it. A strobe tube mounted inside the rear lamp housing is not or should not be acting as a stop lamp or a signal lamp. IMO, if done right adding a HAW does not \"change the original design or performance\" of the lamp in question. In other words the stop/signal lamp still does the same thing in the same way. If I were you I would check with the state DOT or DMV or who ever be in charge of this type of thing.

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