Any trouble with Police and bright lights?

I have a great light setup on my truck - led headlights and Cali raised 43” light bar. I live up in Maine and the light bar has saved me from numerous animal encounters on the road at night.

I’ve heard that light bars are illegal on the road and the police can pull you over if they see you using them. I’m not the guy using them on the highway or if anyone else is around. I treat them like highbeams - only use them when no one is around. Just curious if others have had interactions with the Police and what they say?

 

The best solution is an SAE compliant light bar. The one you're running now is branded for off-road use only, so yes it's illegal to run it on the road and you can get a ticket.

 

https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec1909-B.html

PS. He’s correct about it being for off-road use.. but I think just be smart and mindful of others as you stated, if you aren’t doing anything stupid and impairing others vision, I think you’ll be ok

 

When I was a kid I got pulled and ticketed for window tint. And to add insult, the cop threatened to declare it an inoperable vehicle and tow me unless I peeled it off right then and there. (He was pissed because I politely but repeatedly refused a consent to search.)


We all know that illegal lights are illegal. Will you get pulled? Nobody has the crystal ball to answer that. What is the probability of you getting pulled? Usually low, unless you are being a biggus dickus. The kind of low that "you heard a friend once got nailed". What are the consequences of being pulled? A guaranteed fat ticket.

Take the consequences, multiply it against the probability, and decide if the risk is worth it. Me, I have light bars, but I'd rather keep them shut down when on the pavement, no matter what excuse I think I have. But that's me. You do you.

 

Not here in GA, thats for damn sure. Lots of assholes with super bright ill aimed lights. Had a guy running his roof top light bar at night behind me a few weeks ago.

When I was younger one of my friends got ticketed for having tiny bue led lights in his wiper fluid dispenser nozzles. That seemed a bit ridiculous, but now people have vehicles that are basicay giant disco balls and the police couldnt care less.

I remember some NE states require them to be covered when on the road. Unless your state has a similar law just dont use them with other vehicles around like an inconsiderate asshole otherwise why would anyone care?

 

I'm going to do the crazy old man squint under my tinfoil hat while I say this so keep that in mind.

I have over the years asked several LEOs from municipal to state about why so many people get away with super obvious problems - burned out headlights, broken tails, illegal underbody lighting - and the answer is "those are freebies, if we make them fix it just to make them fix it, we can't pull them over later when we want to check them out for something else".

I took pains to make sure that all of the aftermarket lights on my truck are SAE marked for the same reason I never, ever let my inspection lapse even though plenty of people drive around with expired inspection stickers and even no plates. I don't like leaving excuses on the table, and it also keeps a "whoops I was 7 over" ticket turning into a "whoops I was 7 over and also got raked for illegal lights" ticket.

 

That's when the auxiliary backup lights come in handy lol

 

That all makes sense and I wasn’t aware of the SAE lights! I guess it all depends on being in the wrong place at the wrong time and knowing when to use the lights…

Having powerful lights sure is convenient at night but I can definitely see how these could blind someone and cause an accident…

 

I think I should invest in a nice cover to keep them protected and out of sight when I’m not using them. Like you guys said - you never know who you’re going to piss off…

 

Just use common sense. Its as simple as that. Off-road lights are meant for off-road. If you use them on road, and they don't meet the requirements to do so legally, you're operating illegally. That doesn't mean people don't do it, but don't be surprised if you get a ticket. The same applies for any other traffic violation you intend to break. Risk vs reward.

 

I’m wondering if you have a SAE legal huge light bar across the top of your windshield and you’re running it at night, regardless if it’s SAE legal, they will still bust you for maybe improper location and impeding others vision. Regardless if it’s legal or not. I think there’s more involved to it than that… I could be wrong? Sounds problematic to me. It’s not a fog light or driving light…

obviously, don’t leave home without your proper paperwork…

 

I suppose you find it risible.

 

Yep just because it's SAE doesn't mean its allowed per state ordinance/statute
PA: lights have to have opaque covers on them
NJ: A pillar light allowed or a light bar below headlight height I think

Best check your local laws
I haven't had any issues with the police in the last 10 years

 

I always look on the bright side of life

 

Man and thats exactly what I thought! lol.

 

I only do it when someone is being a real jerk, but man it is fucking sweet.

 

No doubt.

I thought if I could flip one on momentarily they might get the point. Some people suck, but honestly I just think most are clueless.

 

My extended experience in life tells me that when it comes to road rage, the party in the wrong almost never backs down - they escalate. Unless you really, really want to take a fight to the point where weapons might be drawn, the best course of action is to move over, leave the scene, and let the dickheads go find other dickheads.

And chuckle to yourself that you're probably paying a lower insurance rate than they.

 

Definitely. I by and large just try to keep away and extricate myself from these people whom believe "right of way" is wherever they force their vehicle.