pulled ovee

[baylensman]

So raining cats and dogs, coming home from work. I hit the L.E.D. switch so I was a bit more visible. I turned up a side street and heeded home the back way. The rain tapered off I got within a half mile, of the condone I see the lights behind me. I got pulled over because the BLUE on my L.E.DS IS A RESERVED COLOR! Evidently blue and red lights are only allowed on police cars in FL

[bongobobny]

Yes, some white LED's have a blue tint to them, but sounds to me like harassment. Don't tell me, let me guess, it was a young (in his 20's) newbee cop...

[etcswjoe]

You will get pulled over in South Carolina for having red lights on the front or blue lights anywhere on your car or bike.

 

South Carolina Code SECTION 56-5-170.

(B) Only authorized emergency vehicles and private security patrol vehicles regulated by the State Law Enforcement Division are allowed use or display of any blue lights or red lights. This includes light bars and smaller lights such as dash, deck, or visor lights. To "display" means to be seen, whether activated or not.

 

I was under the impression that was true in most states but I will have to dig into it more now.

 

I have been thinking of putting amber strobes on the back of my bike activated by the hazard flashers switch for really low vis.

Edited February 28, 2014 by etcswjoe

[Dragonslayer]

You will get pulled over in South Carolina for having red lights on the front or blue lights anywhere on your car or bike.

 

I was under the impression that was true in most states but I will have to dig into it more now.

 

I have been thinking of putting amber strobes on the back of my bike activated by the hazard flashers switch for really low vis.

Yea, I had found out that forward facing red lights are evidently a no no.

[Flyinfool]

Yup, blue anywhere is a no no.

Red shining to the front is also a no no.

Even red on the side of the vehicle must only be on the back half, front half must be amber or white.

Around here they are even pulling over the ones that drill out the center of the tail light to install a blue crystal, from a distance you really can not see the blue but it does give the whole tail light a purple hue.

 

They are also nabbing all of the cars that went with the blue HID headlights. It seems that about a 6000K color is as blue as you can get away with.

 

If you have color changing LEDs, they are for show only and can not be visible while in motion because the will go red and blue.

[Mike G in SC]

A friend here in SC bought a used HD several months ago.

It has pretty BLUE LED's around the engine.

Yep, he asked and found he can NOT use them in motion, just parked.

[Hazenson]

Virginny is the same way- gave me a ticket for the blue led's, but I bought the multicolored with controls- so I can change the colors. Seven different colors, and one of my favorites is the blue ice. Ive never been bothered in NC but I dont have them flashing while moving and Ive never used the reds while moving. Dont think Ill use the blues either anymore when moving-- dont wanna chance it. Cost me 100 dollars for that ticket in Virginia. And yes the officer was about 13 with a lil bit of a attitude. But he let me off on the speeding so I didnt complain lol

Joe florida led's is what I got and I have to say they are a great product, lots of lights- lots of wire and easy to install.

[BIG TOM]

So raining cats and dogs, coming home from work. I hit the L.E.D. switch so I was a bit more visible. I turned up a side street and heeded home the back way. The rain tapered off I got within a half mile, of the condone I see the lights behind me. I got pulled over because the BLUE on my L.E.DS IS A RESERVED COLOR! Evidently blue and red lights are only allowed on police cars in FL

 

 

 

and in NY also.....

[BIG TOM]

sounds to me like harassment. Don't tell me, let me guess, it was a young (in his 20's) newbee cop...

 

 

 

Really Bob......when you see redlights comming at you, you do pull over right? well if we all had red lights....??????????????????????????????

[darthandy]

Yep, same is true here in Ontario. No blue lights except on police vehicles, plows, sanders and other winter snow maintenance equipment. Although they will usually just give you a warning ... the first time! This guy must have been in a bad mood.

 

Andy

[GAWildKat]

Mike's been wanting to put strobes on the caprice when we restore it, but in purple and green only.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

[Brake Pad]

No, the cop is correct, no car or motorcycle is allow to display red or Blue lights (That Flash) at all.

They can not even be the multi-color changing lights. (most companies get away with their lights ) by saying "not for Highways us" . You can have any other color you want, But Red or Blue Flashing lights. You can however have all the red tail lights you'd like or Red running, But they can not, strobe

[Dragonslayer]

I had a friend that bought a white police special HD he thought it would be cool to get a two tone half shell helmet like the motorcycle cops wear. Until, he realized that everyone in front of him locked down on the breaks and started to go 10 mph when they saw him in the rear view mirror.

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

yup blue lights are not permitted just about everywhere unless you happen to be driving a police car.

 

you must have a motor vehicle act in your area.... no red lights in front either, only white lights in rear to be for illuminating the plate or for backing up.

Most areas will not let you have other colors of lights.... green as an example lit when you are on a "highway" and as was said... no strobing of any kind.

Edited February 28, 2014 by kevin-vic-b.c.

[IronMike]

The lighting and reflectors on your bike when new are what is required by DOT lighting laws. You can look them up. Its a system best adhered to. Lots of people take stuff off for a cleaner look. I'll advised.

 

My friend bought a full dress Police HD then he stripped it down to make it look like a sportster. Going for the sleeper big motor deal. Well, some lady did a left in front of him one night and he's been on medication for brain injury since 1980. In COURT her lawyer proved he altered the visability of the bike by removing lights and reflectors. As he read the list of lights and reflectors removed in the transition from Police Dresser to Clean look Sportster the jury substantially reduced his award from the first award. (This was her appeal).

 

He wishes he had at least what a sportster had as far as lights.

 

Anyways. Ohio is same way. Blue is for OSP.

 

I drive for a living over 150k miles a year. I can't stand the lights that are for off road used on the highway. Especially blue and pink headlamps. Not even a fan of HID.

 

Anyways the lighting laws are for a reason. To standardize what you see so you can recognize it. Back when Map cars first came to the US it was a big dilemma as what they were going to do about amber turn lights facing the rear. They finally adopted it as long as they light on while turn and not full time run lights.

 

That I don't know why. You can see amber way better at night in the fog than Red alone.

 

If you get into a study of the laws. Even the distance from the ground to the light is regulated. And all bulbs and lenses must have a DOT stamp or approval on them.

 

If it says for off road use. By law they must be coverd while on the road.

 

Try to stay legal. My friend wishes he had the other $500k they took back for improper / missing lights and reflectors. He too thought it would never matter. The pictures of his bike at the wrecking yard and accident scene is was busted him.

[Flyinfool]

Then I should be good, I am still adding more lights.

I have 1500 LEDs that I am trying to figure out where to put.....

It will be red on the back half and amber on the front half so should be perfectly legal.

[KICKSHOT]

"In COURT her lawyer proved he altered the visability of the bike by removing lights and reflectors. As he read the list of lights and reflectors removed in the transition from Police Dresser to Clean look Sportster the jury substantially reduced his award from the first award. (This was her appeal). "

 

To quote John Mellencamp "Hey calling it your job ol' hoss sure don't make it right

But if you want me to I'll say a prayer for your soul tonight."

 

I could go on and on about right and wrong but I still feel people are too quick to blame their actions on some one or some thing else!

kickshot

[dacheedah]

Only amber and white to the front , red, amber and white only as backup to the rear all other light is prohibited. I have seen people run with blue hid's get popped. It depends on the judge and county you are in. You may run in an area and it's ignored and then cross into another jurisdiction and bam.

[bongobobny]

OK this seems to be a little over the edge! Now I am assuming his LED driving lights, the PAR36 ones in his driving light brackets below the headlight, were White ones that have a bluish tint to them, not blue LED's! Now if he was actually dumb enough to actually put in blue LED's then sure, he deserves a ticket, but if it was, as I suspect, his white LED's have a bluish tint to them then that is a very thin line and I think the officer was a little out of line on this. He better start pulling over every BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc that come from the factory with HID's. They have a much more bluish tint than white LED's...

[Flyinfool]

I guess I was assuming that the op was refering to color changing RGB LEDs.

[baylensman]

Yes the deputy was young and I believe he had an Explorer ride along that night. At least a late teenaged guy got, out of the car and stood at the hood and watched the process. The ticket was a warning so no monetary hit this time.

 

I am referring to hidden led pods under the various bits and pieces. I have one under the triple tree that illuminates the forks, one on the front of the airbox that lights the floor boards one under the tank the lights the motor, one under the rear floor board lights the pipe, one under the rear bag illuminates wheel and tire one on the trunk that lights up the top of the bag. None of these pods is visible or set as to shine anywhere but directly on the bike. If I used pure white lights they'd still have a blue tint as most reflect, off some body work.

 

Well anyway I ordered 16 more pods, this time in green. I hadn't soldered and shrink wrapped the others yet, wasn't sure of, the positioning, so the change will be easy.

[djh3]

I'm getting ready to mount up some red LED under my rear bags and wire them into the running/signal lights.

Flyinfool-the lights you mentioned at first I think we use to call "tennesee blue dots" I ran them for years and never had any problems. But it only takes once and a JA po po.

[IronMike]

Kickshot i don't know what your saying. What I was saying was he got a Police Bike, stripped it to a Sportster, got hit at dusk by a left turner, no helmet and they guy was in a coma for about a year and on medication for the rest his life. He won the suit, on appeal his award was reduced because they found he made himself less visible. He was my best friend. We started on mini bike we made from junk parts. It was a dark day when his award was reduced. His lawyers could not argue the facts.

 

That was my first introduction to lighting laws. As a Professional driver it's my duty to know them and I am expecting people to follow them so I can see and recognize them.

 

Although Commercial truck laws are standardized in US, I see Motorycle lighting laws beyond DOT requirements may Vary state to state. http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/State-Laws.aspx?stateid=32

 

As long as you have what is required. I see no problems. As long as you do not add what is not legal.

 

I get a bike and I add as much lighting as possible, MOSt of what I add is for trucks and DOT Approved.

 

We are not seen enough and what is required DOES NOT do the trick. I encourage everyone to add more lighting legal or not, if you don't get crazy with the flashing and colors I seriously doubt any LEO will mess with you for trying to be more visible.

 

Of course if it IS DOT approved all the better! You can find Very bright DOT Lighting including LEDS at Trucking Supply shops and Chrome shops. As a non DOT approved light on a truck is a sure ticket

My Rear

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/9147e4fd-a407-4d19-927e-68833dc76bc8_zps0f463be7.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/20130822_232624_zpsefce7d31.jpg

Killed the Square look went with a DOT HD Reflector.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/44c97279-fcb4-4648-b9b2-159155160f42_zps89218607.jpg

Same thing on the rear, HD Reflector and Rear facing High intensity LED both DOT Approved.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/20130822_232606_zps867dfb0e.jpg

This is a DOT Approved High Intensity LED mounted on the back of the lowers below the air cleaner facing outboard. for better side visibility.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/20130823_001805_zps1d9c29c9.jpg

 

Thats just some of what i have done. I look like a Space ship landing. I ride at night a LOT. Anyways thats SOME of the pics. The rest are on my phone. But Love the High Intensity LEDS!

 

I've had a lot of people pull up next to me at a light and ask where I got em. At teh Chrome Shop by the Flying J in Gary Indiana right off I 80. They do ship!

 

By biggest regret is Custom dynamics lights, almost none of it is DOT approved.

Never again! And it's all made in China. Yech!

 

Ok you guys post some lighting pics!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/20130822_232556_zpsb43d696c.jpg

[bongobobny]

OK my bad! Don't know how to tell you this but parking light displays are meant for the parking lot only. When running, use only white, amber, and red in the appropriate places. You don't need different colors to be noticed, just more lights! Even green lights is an invitation to be pulled over, the law is pretty specific about what colors are allowed and which are not...

[dacheedah]

Federal DOT sets uniform regulations. They constantly do studies regarding safety issues ie: study of daylight running lamps on cars had no effect ( increase or decrease) on crashes

 

States are required to adopt a minimum set of standards and most states laws are that no other lamps may be lit during operation on a roadway. ( white and amber to the front, amber to the front and red to the rear from the side, steady red , flashing red and flashing amber, white to plate and no white to the rear except while backing to the rear)

 

Some States and Judges within states have different views of a blue HID vs a bluish tint HIS. Officers know their judges, especially senior ones, and typically stay within what a judge will convict you on.

 

You can have all the red to the rear you want as long as it is not blinding or distracting and it stills allows you to see the required uniform blinkers and brake lights. In Illinois you may only have 4 white lamps lit to the front at a time, very few officers will stop you unless you are blinding oncoming drivers. All the amber you want as long as you are not blinding or distracting. Nothing rotating or flashing ( except for directional) in front Modulators are ok on daylight white lights only. My comment is that if you stay with traditional lights or combinations you may can be as visible as you want without risking being stopped for it.

 

 

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.108