Flashing Amber Light on Caravan

[Halmyre]

Spotted an outfit recently where the owner had fitted an orange light to the Thule bar on the rear end of his caravan. Wasn't rotating; had a fixed 'flash-flash-flash-pause' pattern. To be honest, it was starting to get a bit irritating, and would have been worse in the dark. What's the legality here?

[shakotan]

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 said:

(2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except–
...
(l) amber light from a warning beacon fitted to–
(i)a road clearance vehicle;
(ii)a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;
(iii)a breakdown vehicle;
(iv)a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;
(v)a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;
(vi)a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(vii)a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(viii)a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under section 44 of the Act;
(ix)a vehicle used for escort purposes when travelling at a speed not exceeding 25 mph;
(x)a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;
(xi)a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;
(xii)a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;

[Rough101]

Shomrim or ‘4x4 response’ mobile command unit?

[Halmyre]

Rough101 said:

Shomrim or ‘4x4 response’ mobile command unit?

AFAIK, no, Swift something towed by an SUV. He had 'LONG VEHICLE' stickers under each lamp cluster as well.

[Rough101]

One for the Walt/ Dad’s Army thread

[C69]

Only occasions I've seen 'long vehicle' signs and flashing amber lights on the back of caravans is when they're being towed behind another trailer (funfair vehicles).

A quick search suggests that such combinations are subject to fairly severe speed restrictions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maximum...

Maybe what the OP saw is usually the second trailer, but the owner couldn't be bothered to deactivate its irritating light?

[shakotan]

C69 said:

Only occasions I've seen 'long vehicle' signs and flashing amber lights on the back of caravans is when they're being towed behind another trailer (funfair vehicles).

A quick search suggests that such combinations are subject to fairly severe speed restrictions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maximum...

Maybe what the OP saw is usually the second trailer, but the owner couldn't be bothered to deactivate its irritating light?

Regardless, it's not permitted.