Ditch lights

Let me rephrase my last post besides making the dumb mistake of asking whether I could switch my reverse lights on I would actually like to know whether it is legal or not to use ditch lights on the side of my bed on back roads? I live on back roads that are really narrow and if there's an oncoming car I have to get over far. Sometimes there are pretty sever ditches and if I'm being blinded by the other drives lights I can't see how close I am to the edge of the ditch. I would also like to be able to use them as work lights for loading wood in twilight. In this case I wouldn't wire my reverse lights to this switch cause they blind me when I'm loading I've tried it before. Please excuse my last post I understand that it is illegal but don't know how to stop tailgaters and prevent further accidents. I don't want to speed either.

 

Also they would point down towards the ditch so even if I turned them on they wouldn't blind drivers even though there's nobody on the back roads.

 

There's just no way around it man. Illegal either way. They are off road lights only. I recently got hassled by cops about this. Even though no one was around. They weren't even on patrol. They were outside of their car on a break I guess. Anyways... Just ignore tailgaters. Or what I do is use my windshield washer if going fast enough. To spray them as it kinda sprays all over. Heh. Or I just slow down even further to the speed limit. And ignore them. They'll pass.

 

Cops don't bother many people by me about lighting. How about converting the third brake light into a work light? Clear lens and leds so I can see my bed when I'm loading it.

 

I know this is an old thread but I really wanted to add to it..

First and foremost, your saftey and health are more important than any law.
Example scenario: A vehicle comes at you on the dangerous road, they have their super bright high beams on and you can't see the ditch because you have no ditch lights. You slide off into the ditch, hit a tree, and get injured.
But hey, at least you were following the law, right?! No, screw that. If the road is as dangerous as you say it is, it's better to violate a minor traffic law than jeopardize your safety.

Also, as far as I know it isn't illegal to have the lights mounted on your truck. It's only illegal when you turn them on.

Edit: Regarding the tailgaters, I have found that keeping your foot on the gas while lightly pressing the brake(just enough so your brake lights come on) makes people back way off.

 

Here we go again..

I will say, that if the road is as dangerous, the speed limit should reflect that. As well as your judgment. Go slower than the speed limit of need be. Or slow down when someone leaves their brights on. Its also illegal to flash someone to get them to lower their beams. There's always room for avoiding a situation in most cases. And if someone does leave their high beams on, it's better to violate this very minor infraction and flash them, instead of blatantly BLINDING them. Not to mention looking into the ditch area and away from the oncoming glare.

 

I know where you are coming from, and agree with most of your points, but don't forget the safety of others as well. Even if they are douchecanoes (still a word?). I have LF 240s, Rigid pods as ditch lights, and an eBay light bar. I NEVER turn them on when driving on major hwys or close to town. Not because of some "law", though I do still want to be a lawful citizen. But because of everyone else's safety. It would be really awesome if all laws were practical, and we had no dumb ones, but alas.......

I live 30k from the nearest "city", so I have backroads and lots of FSRs around that I do have reason to use them. And I do, if conditions require them. But I shut them off if oncoming traffic is, well, oncoming.

Deer are suicidal around here, btw.


Edit: tailgaters are breaking the law, so the law should not protect them. FLASH them!

 

I live 30 miles from work and there are no street lights along the way as it's rural one lane both ways. The deer here must be inbred maniacs because they tend to wait until I get closer than bolt across the road. I usually drive 50-55 on a road that's 75 just due to the deer. I have IPF's (they suck) on my bumper and a brand new Aurora 20" light bar (0 sucking coefficient). I use my light bar on road and turn it off when I see oncoming traffic. I do not want to ever blind anyone as they may swerve into me and I don't want to be a dick. But I feel justified using my "Off-Road" only light on road for my own safety. In fact, I'm planning on getting more lights to shine off to the sides towards the fences.

 

I forgot to mention, I as well use my lights in the same fashion with my back roads. Lots of light. Lol. But at the slightest glint of any oncoming car, I flip mine off. And I rarely ever blip them if they leave their brights on. Because to me, everyone's lights even high beams, are no longer bright to me. Ha. I certainly think it's ok to use while there's absolutely no one around in either direction, front AND behind. It doesn't mean it's still not illegal. I've passed, and even blinded, patrols that have been hiding behind a bush that I didn't see till the last second(on those backroads). I do flip them off immediately tho. So They know I'm not careless when using them. They have never cared(with the exception of the time I mentioned in a previous post which was when I got ballsy using them in a dark and sketchy residential area. )But, using them in a "defensive"/"offensive" manor, is just plain road rage. Its just as bad as cutting someone off in revenge. Or whatever. You are asking for trouble. You are not the law. Let them pass. Practice safe driving. And resist the urge for revenge. The other person doesn't care. One bit. And they might even retaliate and cause even further incidents. Slow down, let them do their idiotic things and pass, even pull over completely with your hazards on if need be, and prey there's a patrol just ahead to catch them. And know that you are being the more responsible driver and let that boost your ego. Again, you are not the one to enforce the laws. If tailgaters are a problem, drive like an old fart and that'll piss them off even more allowing them to pass. Giving you back the road and not having to worry about them anymore.

If you really wanna do something, spray them with your windshield washer blowback Its the greatest. Safe, you're not instigating them, and usually takes them a minute to figure out what is going on, usually far after you've gone separate ways. Then they realize what the spray was for. Funny as hell watching them use their wipers when you get em good. Lol.

Last but not least, I could never advise someone to brake check a tailgater. The worst thing ever to do. And the most instigating move you can make. I once did this a long time ago, and even being a love tap, had some crazy guy chasing me all through a residential area as I tried to flee him. He just went nuts on me. He caught up to me and exited his car. I slammed it in reverse and finally got away. I was honestly scared. That was back when I didn't carry. Now I have the right to use a show of force (for self defense purposes only)with my ccw. That right there was one of the reasons why I now carry..

Anyways.. Just a little advice. And food for thought.. For anyone else that meanders in here.

 

OP stated that he would not be blinding other cars with them.

 

Seems like we just have different ways of pissing off tailgaters....