Illegal Lighting?

**lgbr** · 03-14-2004, 03:08 AM

So I was rolling my way down the street the other day, looking fly in my car, when I notice something fishy. A police officer has been following me around for two miles. I immediately become suspicious. The day before, I installed lights on my misters and back of my mirrors, they were blue and purple. The officer pulls into the lane to my left and speeds up to get in front of me. I realize what he's doing, and I figure i'm in a lane that is about to be forced to turn right, so if I keep ahead of him, I can get away. As I get near my goal, he hits the brakes and turns his flashing lights on. I pull into a Mexican restaurant, and he tells me that my lights are illegal and it is a $110 fine.

Does this seem outrageous to anyone else? In my state (Washington) it is illegal to have even underglow, as it is claimed to be distracting. Apparently my blue lights were illegal because that's the color that emergency vehicles use. Apparently the Washington State Legislature forgot to realize that on emergency vehicles, the lights are rapidly flashing.

And they call this a free country...

**gambit32** · 03-14-2004, 03:18 AM

Yup...I'm pretty sure they are illegal in WA. I heard of people getting pulled over for blue washer nozzles. I think red may be illegal as well. I have red side markers on my car but haven't been pulled over yet...even when passing a cop.

**NovaKane** · 03-14-2004, 04:37 AM

my brake lights are red, will i get a ticket for that? I better stay out of washington...you guys too strict.

**belmontboy** · 03-14-2004, 05:18 AM

all unnessecary lighting is illigal in the uk

**Gutter** · 03-14-2004, 10:45 AM

Certain colors are illegal in most places.

**TruckinMP3** · 03-14-2004, 11:24 AM

This is the case in the US for all states that use federal highway money (all states that I know of)

**lgbr** · 03-14-2004, 12:26 PM

I don't see what the big deal is though. Its not like someone is going to stare at your lights for more than 5 seconds, and if they do they're not taking their eyes off the road. And it wouldn't fool someone enough to trick them into thinking you're an emergency vehicle.

**[iG]** · 03-14-2004, 12:42 PM

Most colors are illegal in most states actually. With the exception of green/purple and some other shades that are not associated with any other emergency vehicles.

Now i had both purple and red underbody lights and passed by few cops with them on, no-one stopped me there.. Maybe because it was mostly late at night, but either way... It depends if you get one of those powertrip triggerhappy cops or not. I'd say most dont give a s**t.

**StratusPh34r** · 03-14-2004, 12:42 PM

The reason is this: blue or red lights on the front of yor car makes people believe you are a cop. This is not MY reasoning, but the police's. White and or yellow lights won't get you pulled over, but any other color most likely will.

**Almost a Ghost** · 03-14-2004, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by lgbr

I don't see what the big deal is though. Its not like someone is going to stare at your lights for more than 5 seconds, and if they do they're not taking their eyes off the road. And it wouldn't fool someone enough to trick them into thinking you're an emergency vehicle.

But somebody quickly glancing their review mirror with you behind them will more than likely make them jump and get distracted. And yeah, it is a free country, but with responsibility.