Just had a rare experience - saw something totally new to me

[RacerMDR]

on the M4.........so retard driving in lane one at around 60mph......clear traffic.........

he had one of those police LED ticker tape type gadgets in his back window.........which read

"********Don't Tailgate, SLOW DOWN - SPEEDING KILLS *********" (can't be certain of the number of stars )

It was just wandering past the rear window on a constant loop........

is that

A) Legal?
B) If yes - where can I get one - I have some messages of my own.....particularly for this fkwit
C) How easy is it to get a message on there fast.......as in - would I have to set it up at home or could I do it on the move?

I actually slowed down to I could spend long enough behind him to read it......

I am a bit lost for words that I can be the same species as this person

[joebongo]

I'd like one that says "Your foglights are not cool or sporty, they make you look like a c."

[XG332]

Top gear used one when they went camping in the caravan.

[Paul v8]

legality ?. maplins sell them from £20. had to get one for work few yrs back can run off batteries and can take sec to set up.

[pacman1]

The concept is no different to a bumper sticker. But if it can be proved to be a dangerous distraction to other motorists, it'll get banned soon enough.
Here's hoping, anyway.

[snuffle]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/scrolling-message-board-35...

[RacerMDR]

has anyone else seen anyone use one ? (other than the BIB or TOP Gear)

it was really distracting - as it was the first time i'd seen one I really want to read it......

I was so busy being disgusted I didn't notice the type of car or age etc

I think I need one for 'educational' purposes

[DannyVTS]

Wasn't a ford fusion was it ? I got the image in my head that it was for whatever reason

[LMC]

XG332 said:

Top gear used one when they went camping in the caravan.

I remember that. JC said at the time it wouldn't let you display oscenities tho...

Edited by LMC on Saturday 22 January 20:31

[Alice Cupra]

According to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regul...

Lamps to show a steady light
13.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which automatically emits a flashing light.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of-
(a) a direction indicator;
(b) a headlamp fitted to an emergency vehicle;
( c) a warning beacon or special warning lamp;
(d) a lamp or illuminated sign fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;
(e) a green warning lamp used as an anti-lock brake indicator; or
(f) lamps forming part of a traffic sign.


So I would think not legal, unless fitted to a police vehicle.

Edited by Alice Cupra on Saturday 22 January 20:34

[mgtony]

Did you have to be 6 inches off his bumper before you could read it?

[pacman1]

AC, you need to do a bit more editing on that last line.

[Ian Geary]

Slightly off topic,

some newish cars (the latest Insignia for one) have brake lights that flash to indicate heavy braking

(or, as I smugly like to think, to indicate lack of forward observation on behalf of the driver)


these would seem to be illegal when judged by those regulations posted above...? Have there been any updates recently?

Ian

[Alice Cupra]

That's the latest version from the Gov's website, so would think they are the most up to date ones.

Having said that, I am sure I also heard that HID headlights are technically illegal in the UK, but they are still available on cars, as are these cars which flash their hazard warning lights automatically on heavy braking?

So it wouldn't surprise me if the flashing brake lights are also illegal?

[Jayho]

IMO if you're able to read it then you're probably driving too close?? Then the person who's posting the message through this device is probably actually causing a distraction and causing the tailgating... Very ironic.

[RacerMDR]

Jayho said:

IMO if you're able to read it then you're probably driving too close?? Then the person who's posting the message through this device is probably actually causing a distraction and causing the tailgating... Very ironic.

in fairness it's pretty big. I was in next lane over and did slow down to ensure I read the whole message - but it was readable from a non tailgating distance

[Adam205]

Ian Geary said:

some newish cars (the latest Insignia for one) have brake lights that flash to indicate heavy braking

On my 500 they only come on when the ABS starts to take notice. They probably come under the 'abs warning light'.

Its also bloody annoying as the ABS kicks in pretty early. Enthusiastic driving around the back lanes will see the indicators flashing almost constantly!

[rottie102]

I've got one. It's really easy to use, you plug it in to the cig lighter and control it via IR remote from the front

...but it's not fitted because I didn't think that all my cars are either convertibles or have dark tinted rear windows before I bought it.

[Adam205]

Alice Cupra said:

Having said that, I am sure I also heard that HID headlights are technically illegal in the UK, but they are still available on cars, as are these cars which flash their hazard warning lights automatically on heavy braking?

HIDs are completely legal as long as they are auto-levelling and have washers.

[Deva Link]

Alice Cupra said:

That's the latest version from the Gov's website, so would think they are the most up to date ones.

Having said that, I am sure I also heard that HID headlights are technically illegal in the UK, but they are still available on cars, as are these cars which flash their hazard warning lights automatically on heavy braking?

So it wouldn't surprise me if the flashing brake lights are also illegal?

They are all technically illegal in the UK, but, of factory fitted, they are covered by EU whole vehicle type approval, so you couldn't be successfully prosecuted for using them.

This is why aftermarket HIDs etc are illegal. Doesn't matter even if you did fit the levelling and washing - you can't legalise something that wasn't fitted when the car left the factory.