Would I get done for green daytime running lights?

[Marti99]

I'm pretty sure if you Google it trucks/cars aren't breaking the law by having blue/green and in fact whatever colour they like. (Apart from red). Also the coloured lights cant be in place of the regulation lights.
Edit: also they can't flash obv.

Edited by Marti99 on Monday 14th April 10:21

[Marti99]

Double post

Edited by Marti99 on Monday 14th April 10:22

[Steffan]

Marti99 said:

I'm pretty sure if you Google it trucks/cars aren't breaking the law by having blue/green and in fact whatever colour they like. (Apart from red). Also the coloured lights cant be in place of the regulation lights.
Edit: also they can't flash obv.

Edited by Marti99 on Monday 14th April 10:21

Unless you are absolutely certain you are correct in that assertion I would study the relevant legislation in some depth before reaching that conclusion. As many have posted on here the police will stop unauthorised lights and who need the hassle?

[Marti99]

Steffan said:

Unless you are absolutely certain you are correct in that assertion I would study the relevant legislation in some depth before reaching that conclusion. As many have posted on here the police will stop unauthorised lights and who need the hassle?

Personally I'm certain. I don't agree with trucks/cars doing it however.

Nice thread here. http://www.policespecials.com/forum/index.php/topi...

[MrBig]

Marti99 said:

Personally I'm certain. I don't agree with trucks/cars doing it however.

Nice thread here. http://www.policespecials.com/forum/index.php/topi...

That's a very interesting thread. I honestly thought only white/yellow lighting was legal on the front of a UK vehicle!

[vonhosen]

Depends what lamp it is, so you need to look at that first and work from there.

If we take front position lamps.

Requirements relating to 'optional' front position lamps fall under Schedule 2 part II

which says

Schedule 2 part II said:

2. In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used on or after 1st April 1991 which is fitted with one obligatory front position lamp, not more than one additional lamp may be fitted which must comply with the requirement specified in paragraph 7 of Part I and shall be situated as close as possible to the obligatory front position lamp.

3. In the case of any other vehicle the only requirement prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted is that in paragraph 7 of Part I.

So we go to Para 7 of Part I (Requirements relating to obligatory front position lamps and to optional front position lamps to the extent specified in part II)

Paragraph 7 of Part I said:

7. Colour:

White or, if incorporated in a headlamp which is capable of emitting only a yellow light, yellow

If it's a running lamp it falls under Schedule 3 parts I & II.

Part I deals with obligatory lamps so if your 'running lamp' is fitted to satisfy Regulation 18 (i.e. is it fitted to satisfy requirement of an obligatory lamp) it must satisfy those regs which will include colour.

If it is an optional 'running lamp' then it falls under part II of Schedule 3 & there are no requirements relating to an 'optional' dim-dip device or an 'optional' running lamp.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 21st April 10:28

[FiF]

vonhosen said:

Depends what lamp it is, so you need to look at that first and work from there.

If we take front position lamps.

Requirements relating to 'optional' front position lamps fall under Schedule 2 part II

which says

Schedule 2 part II said:

2. In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used on or after 1st April 1991 which is fitted with one obligatory front position lamp, not more than one additional lamp may be fitted which must comply with the requirement specified in paragraph 7 of Part I and shall be situated as close as possible to the obligatory front position lamp.

3. In the case of any other vehicle the only requirement prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted is that in paragraph 7 of Part I.

So we go to Para 7 of Part I (Requirements relating to obligatory front position lamps and to optional front position lamps to the extent specified in part II)

Paragraph 7 of Part I said:

7. Colour:

White or, if incorporated in a headlamp which is capable of emitting only a yellow light, yellow

The above is absolutely correct.

Ancillary question. How does the law interpret lights which are not on but in the vehicle.

I am thinking of, for example, red lights on Christmas trees in lorry cabs or the increasing numbers of blue led decorations attached to the back wall of the cab living area.

Some of those are so bright one questions if it affects night vision by screen reflections.

[vonhosen]

FiF said:

vonhosen said:

Depends what lamp it is, so you need to look at that first and work from there.

If we take front position lamps.

Requirements relating to 'optional' front position lamps fall under Schedule 2 part II

which says

Schedule 2 part II said:

2. In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used on or after 1st April 1991 which is fitted with one obligatory front position lamp, not more than one additional lamp may be fitted which must comply with the requirement specified in paragraph 7 of Part I and shall be situated as close as possible to the obligatory front position lamp.

3. In the case of any other vehicle the only requirement prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted is that in paragraph 7 of Part I.

So we go to Para 7 of Part I (Requirements relating to obligatory front position lamps and to optional front position lamps to the extent specified in part II)

Paragraph 7 of Part I said:

7. Colour:

White or, if incorporated in a headlamp which is capable of emitting only a yellow light, yellow

The above is absolutely correct.

Ancillary question. How does the law interpret lights which are not on but in the vehicle.

I am thinking of, for example, red lights on Christmas trees in lorry cabs or the increasing numbers of blue led decorations attached to the back wall of the cab living area.

Some of those are so bright one questions if it affects night vision by screen reflections.

I amended my original post to include an example of another type of lamp 'running lamp' & it's use.

As regards your ancillary question. The regs cover specific types of lamp, so you have to look at each in turn & I don't believe when they were written they ever envisaged what you describe, so they weren't included, save under Reg 27 (restrictions on use) which prohibits 'Any other lamp' 'Used so as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other persons using the road.'

[FiF]

Thanks.

[FunkyNige]

Apologies for dragging this up, but whilst looking up something else I came across the ACPO guidelines for coloured headlamps, which reads
"2.3.8.1 Intervention recommended only if the light cover is red, VDRS recommended as the primary option."

Link to Word doc
http://library.college.police.uk/docs/acpo/motorcy...

I know what they say isn't law and it's a few years old, but it shows someone has put some thought into it.

[SVS]

Thanks Nige - good info.