Red/white stobes now legal for non-emergency vehicles?
Discussion
Afternoon,
I'm just asking this out of curiosity, nothing important sorry!
A couple of weeks ago my friend had a Ford Focus in his garage for repair, and it was one of those 'Motorway Maintenance' site manager type cars, and we noticed it was fitted with toys such as strobing headlights and also red LED strobes in the rear window. It also had the obligitary magnetic amber strobe lying in the boot.
I have now just done a short journey on the M6 and overtook a new recovery truck that had a car on the back and a car being towed on the dolly/lift thing on the back, so was driving with all strobes on.. But they were all red and white LED. The rear of the truck and the lightbar on the cab roof were all professionally fitted red/white strobes and the front was all white strobes.
When I was approaching it at a distance I thought it was an emergency services vehicle at first as the white LED's had that kind of blue tint to them that they often do.
Have the rules been relaxed on this kind of thing as I know the HATO cars use red strobes?
Edit: apologies for the error in the title!
I'm just asking this out of curiosity, nothing important sorry!
A couple of weeks ago my friend had a Ford Focus in his garage for repair, and it was one of those 'Motorway Maintenance' site manager type cars, and we noticed it was fitted with toys such as strobing headlights and also red LED strobes in the rear window. It also had the obligitary magnetic amber strobe lying in the boot.
I have now just done a short journey on the M6 and overtook a new recovery truck that had a car on the back and a car being towed on the dolly/lift thing on the back, so was driving with all strobes on.. But they were all red and white LED. The rear of the truck and the lightbar on the cab roof were all professionally fitted red/white strobes and the front was all white strobes.
When I was approaching it at a distance I thought it was an emergency services vehicle at first as the white LED's had that kind of blue tint to them that they often do.
Have the rules been relaxed on this kind of thing as I know the HATO cars use red strobes?
Edit: apologies for the error in the title!
Edited by NinjaPower on Wednesday 21st August 14:45
Road vehicle Lighting Regs 1989 should enlighten you.
Here:
Colour of light shown by lamps and reflectors
11.—(1) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing a red light to the front, except–
(a)a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;.
(b)a side marker lamp or a side retro reflector;.
(c)retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of–.
(i)a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;.
(ii)a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination; or.
(iii)an invalid carriage; or.
(d)a traffic sign..
(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–
(a)amber light from a direction indicator or side marker lamp;.
(b)white light from a reversing lamp;.
(c)white light from a work lamp;.
(d)light to illuminate the interior of a vehicle;.
(e)light from an illuminated rear registration plate;.
(f)light for the purposes of illuminating a taxi meter;.
(g)in the case of a bus, light for the purposes of illuminating a route indicator;.
(h)blue light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to a police control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;.
(i)white light from a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;.
(j)green light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to an ambulance control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;.
(k)blue light from a warning beacon or rear special warning lamp fitted to an emergency vehicle, or from any device fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;.
(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;.
(m)green light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle used by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council (whether with full, provisional or limited registration);.
(n)yellow light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle for use at airports;.
(o)light of any colour from a traffic sign which is attached to a vehicle;.
(p)reflected light from amber pedal retro reflectors;.
(q)reflected light of any colour from retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of–.
(i)a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;.
(ii)a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination; or.
(iii)an invalid carriage;.
(r)reflected light from amber retro reflective material on a road clearance vehicle;.
(s)reflected light from yellow retro reflective registration plates;.
(t)reflected light from yellow retro reflective material incorporated in a rear marking of a type specified in Part I Section B of Schedule 19 and fitted to–.
(i)a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7500 kg;.
(ii)a motor vehicle first used before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 3000 kg;.
(iii)a trailer having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg;.
(iv)a trailer manufactured before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 1000 kg;.
(v)a trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles one of which is of a type mentioned in a previous item of this sub-paragraph;.
(vi)a load carried by any vehicle; or.
(u)reflected light from orange retro reflective material incorporated in a sign fitted to the rear of a vehicle carrying a dangerous substance within the meaning of the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981(1) or the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations 1986(2)
dvd
Here:
Colour of light shown by lamps and reflectors
11.—(1) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing a red light to the front, except–
(a)a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;.
(b)a side marker lamp or a side retro reflector;.
(c)retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of–.
(i)a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;.
(ii)a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination; or.
(iii)an invalid carriage; or.
(d)a traffic sign..
(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–
(a)amber light from a direction indicator or side marker lamp;.
(b)white light from a reversing lamp;.
(c)white light from a work lamp;.
(d)light to illuminate the interior of a vehicle;.
(e)light from an illuminated rear registration plate;.
(f)light for the purposes of illuminating a taxi meter;.
(g)in the case of a bus, light for the purposes of illuminating a route indicator;.
(h)blue light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to a police control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;.
(i)white light from a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;.
(j)green light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to an ambulance control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;.
(k)blue light from a warning beacon or rear special warning lamp fitted to an emergency vehicle, or from any device fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;.
(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;.
(m)green light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle used by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council (whether with full, provisional or limited registration);.
(n)yellow light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle for use at airports;.
(o)light of any colour from a traffic sign which is attached to a vehicle;.
(p)reflected light from amber pedal retro reflectors;.
(q)reflected light of any colour from retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of–.
(i)a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;.
(ii)a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination; or.
(iii)an invalid carriage;.
(r)reflected light from amber retro reflective material on a road clearance vehicle;.
(s)reflected light from yellow retro reflective registration plates;.
(t)reflected light from yellow retro reflective material incorporated in a rear marking of a type specified in Part I Section B of Schedule 19 and fitted to–.
(i)a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7500 kg;.
(ii)a motor vehicle first used before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 3000 kg;.
(iii)a trailer having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg;.
(iv)a trailer manufactured before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 1000 kg;.
(v)a trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles one of which is of a type mentioned in a previous item of this sub-paragraph;.
(vi)a load carried by any vehicle; or.
(u)reflected light from orange retro reflective material incorporated in a sign fitted to the rear of a vehicle carrying a dangerous substance within the meaning of the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981(1) or the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations 1986(2)
dvd
Recovery vehicles have been ignored for a long time, but theres a chasm between red wig-wag 20w halogen lamps used with amber beacons, later replaced by strobes or LEDs, and the nonsense described by the posters above.
Dont even get me started on the 'hero factor' - why do recovery clowns with securely strapped down two tonne loads think that they need even a single halogen amber beacon on, let alone the full Christmas tree?
Dont even get me started on the 'hero factor' - why do recovery clowns with securely strapped down two tonne loads think that they need even a single halogen amber beacon on, let alone the full Christmas tree?
Edited by GC8 on Wednesday 21st August 17:24
GC8 said:
Dont even get me started on the 'hero factor' - why does recovery clowns with securely strapped down two tonne loads think that they need even a single halogen amber beacon on, let alone the full Christmas tree?
The only probable answer to that is sadly: they think it looks 'cool'.Ive seen council refuse wagons with red strobes on the rear...if the council cant even get it right then what hope has everyone else.
Ive read before that recovery vehicles, mainly those on the police rota were "allowed" red strobes to rear but only to keep them on side... at the end of the day, they are often in as dangerous places on the road as the police/hato.
Ive read before that recovery vehicles, mainly those on the police rota were "allowed" red strobes to rear but only to keep them on side... at the end of the day, they are often in as dangerous places on the road as the police/hato.
GC8 said:
Recovery vehicles have been ignored for a long time, but theres a chasm between red wig-wag 20w halogen lamps used with amber beacons, later replaced by strobes or LEDs, and the nonsense described by the posters above.
Dont even get me started on the 'hero factor' - why do recovery clowns with securely strapped down two tonne loads think that they need even a single halogen amber beacon on, let alone the full Christmas tree?
What is nonsense above?Dont even get me started on the 'hero factor' - why do recovery clowns with securely strapped down two tonne loads think that they need even a single halogen amber beacon on, let alone the full Christmas tree?
Edited by GC8 on Wednesday 21st August 17:24
PhyllisOphical said:
My local funeral director has alternately flashing left and right white light bars below the front grille, used when driving slowly.
Does this comply with the current lighting regulations?
RVLRDoes this comply with the current lighting regulations?
I note in particular section 13 - Lamps to show a steady light.
Exemptions - a warning beacon or special warning lamp. But white warning lamps don't seem to be allowed.
An amber beacon could probably be fitted, after all, they are allowed on vehicles "collecting refuse"
PhyllisOphical said:
My local funeral director has alternately flashing left and right white light bars below the front grille, used when driving slowly.
Does this comply with the current lighting regulations?
Don’t see the point tbh. I could understand rear facing strobes to alert those not alert to happenings around them that there is a slow moving vehicle ahead, but having them on the front seems as pointless as those who drive around pedestrian precincts with their hazards on.Does this comply with the current lighting regulations?
Solocle said:
PhyllisOphical said:
My local funeral director has alternately flashing left and right white light bars below the front grille, used when driving slowly.
Does this comply with the current lighting regulations?
RVLRDoes this comply with the current lighting regulations?
I note in particular section 13 - Lamps to show a steady light.
Exemptions - a warning beacon or special warning lamp. But white warning lamps don't seem to be allowed.
An amber beacon could probably be fitted, after all, they are allowed on vehicles "collecting refuse"
jmn said:
I was recently followed by a MK1 Audi TT which had two constant blue lights showing at the front. These were in addition to the vehicles normal headlights which were also on.
Presumably unlawful?
Unless the law has changed in the last few years, it’s not illegal to show marker lights to the front of any colour except red. I do stand to be corrected though…Presumably unlawful?
Solocle said:
PhyllisOphical said:
My local funeral director has alternately flashing left and right white light bars below the front grille, used when driving slowly.
Does this comply with the current lighting regulations?
RVLRDoes this comply with the current lighting regulations?
I note in particular section 13 - Lamps to show a steady light.
Exemptions - a warning beacon or special warning lamp. But white warning lamps don't seem to be allowed.
An amber beacon could probably be fitted, after all, they are allowed on vehicles "collecting refuse"
So the combination means flashing rear-facing red beacons are fine, surely?
Its Just Adz said:
Strangely, I thought of this today as a car marked "Urgent Blood" and with green strobes on the roof went down the hard shoulder passing all slow traffic.
Never seen that before.
Interesting. The list above would indicate green beacons can only be used by medical doctors. I doubt blood drivers are registered with the GMC.Never seen that before.
And then there's the issue of exemptions: I don't recall doctors getting any exemptions from road laws, so driving up the hard shoulder is definitely naughty. (Though if transporting blood, then I doubt a magistrate would impose a sentence).
There was a ho-ha a few years ago about blue light drivers other than the police not getting exemptions - ie blood bikes can't go over 70mph even with their blues on.
Also, anecdotally, I see a lot of larger scooters riding round south London with a green fluorescent "blood" sticker in their windscreen.
I am sceptical they are affiliated to the NHS blood transport service, as their riding is usually poor (ie feet dragging along the floor like the thing is a bloody push scooter).
Ian
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