legally driving without side mirrors?

Last night I got pulled over by a cop for multiple vehicle violations. I plan on fighting them all because its bs, but I am concerned that I might lose on the side mirrors.

My set up is I took of the doors and put on tube doors. I have seen jeeps run through the city with no doors at all, so most don't have side mirrors, so I took it as I would have no problem either.

The citation I got essentially states that any vehicle that is manufactured with a left side mirror shall have a left side mirror. But another statute says that as long as I can see 200 feet behind me, I don't need side mirror, but I need a rear view mirror, which I have.

I am going to go to court about this, was curious as to see if you guys think I'm right or wrong. And if I'm wrong, do you know of any after market side mirrors that I can attach to the frame?

The other violations I got was my tires sticking out more than 2 inches past the fender (which according to statute, it is measured from the fender to the highest point of the tire, which would be my treads, which seems to be just at 2 inches). And a Tail lamp burnt out, fucker didn't even give me a warning. Probably because he tried to tell me that the manufacturer gave me side mirrors, it wasn't an option, so they are required. I told him that my heater wasn't an option on my truck either, but that's not required.

 

lol, just put on side mirrors. super easy setup, get ones that can just clamp onto your tube doors. i know some state laws say you have to have doors unless its a vehicle that has a 4-5" lip on the bottom. like a jeep has to keep crap from rolling out.

 

I will tell you that most every state will ding you if you don't have at least a driver's side door mirror, if it came from the factory with one. As for the tail lamp, sure it sucks, but they are not required to give you a warning. Then can cite you first time, right off. Your argument about the heater is apples and oranges. Your heater is not a safety device, the mirror is. I know it isn't what you want to hear, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if you lost on all 3 citations. Good luck though! I would suggest getting all 3 issues fixed, then take pictures of it and take them to court. A judge would be more likely to dismiss or reduce the fine if he sees you made an effort to fix the problem.

 

You're a lucky guy to have more time than most folks do...Bama Toy has the right idea. Get 'em fixed...you're gonna waste more time fighting these things cuz you're mad than do the right thing and fix things. OK, you're angry because you think these things were BS, but what we don't know is how YOU handled the traffic stop...I have a feeling that the tail light cite was a result of your attitude! You're right, most cops would warn on that one, not because they're nice guys, but because the likelihood is that you won't fix it and the cop will have PC to stop you in the future!

 

I agree fix the issues then go to court the judge may let you slide.You didn't argue with the cop did you?

 

x2. That's what makes the biggest difference at a traffic stop

OP, I had a Wrangler for awhile and frequently drive with no side mirrors and never had a problem. But I'm not 100% sure what the law is in my state.

 

You didn't pass the attitude test! All minor violations but still violations.

I can't imagine any state having a law that permits you drive around without any mirrors, but then I haven't traveled in every state either. Common sense would have to win out on that one. How can you see 200ft behind you while you're driving down the road at freeway speed without the use of a mirror?

As far as the tires go, I haven't seen a tread that is wider than the sidewall when properly inflated, they buldge out a bit so if one had to measure from the widest part I would measure from the sidewall. You will either have to get fender flares or a different set of tires that are flush with the side of body to satisfy that violation.

The tail light is a safety violation as well.

My guess is that this police officer was looking for some reason to stop you and through your own negligence by not having your truck in good repair, he had enough probable cause to do just that.

If it were me, I'd take my lumps and save the embarassment of trying to fight it in court and the next time check my atittude before I back out of the driveway.

Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.

 

You should've done your homework and rigged up your modifications to stay legal.

Here in Pennsylvania...You gotta have side mirrors. You tires can't stick out past the flares, your offroad lights have to be 20" apart, and a shit ton of other things.

We owned a Jeep and had the doors off all the time, but we bought special mirror mounting brackets that moved the mirrors to mount on the windshield. Not only that, but we got fender flares that were large enough to cover the 35X12.50" tires. Legal and passed inspection every year. It's not that hard.....

 

^^ There ya go, Bud. I gotta side with the Janmeister.

 

Op, don't think you can beat these 3 citations. Even motorcycles have to have mirrors now. Tires that go past fenders can fling rocks at vehicles behind. Taillights have to work. Think maybe you got sarcastic and cop didn't give you a break.(heater comment).Most states think the same way with safety issues. Real good advice to fix these things ,photograph them and take to court and be humble. Just an opinion from someone who has been there,done that. GL

 

never argue with the police--99.99% of the time-you will loose and get additional fines.
ATTITUDE makes a BIG difference when you get pulled over-DOES NOT MATTER how right or wrong you are.
Remember-they are there to KEEP you SAFE--not just give out tickets.
That is their job!!
NO- I am NOT a COP--just passing along the experience.
Last THREE times I was pulled over( for various reasons-NO tickets.
BE NICE--goes a long way!
Do NOT be an ASS that is always correct.
I have been BOTH--go with what works.

 

Lot of holier than thou going on here... Cop was looking to prove a point by pulling him over for only safety violations. Nothing better to do apparently. It sucks the OP got tickets for them all, just show up in court and the cop prolly won't show (unless you are in Madison). Just tack a bike mirror on and fix the tail light and call it a day.

 

Yeah, just get the problems fixed. Prevents you from getting pulled in the future too. I drove my old t100 without a bumper for almost a year, got pulled over at least 4 times for it. They said that because it came with the truck it needs to be on there. Never got a ticket for it though.

 

I have a restriction on my license stating I must have a left outside side mirror because i'm legally blind in my left eye. That wouldn't be necessary if everyone has to have them, so i'm skeptical. Then again, every state is different i'm sure.

 

How do you figure that he "probably won't show"? Most police get all of their tickets lined up so they can go into court one day

 

Hey sean266, they call a ticket coupons in Colorado? Never heard that before. Around here attitude will get you a ticket for everything they can find wrong. I guess living here within 1 hr of D.C. keeps the police on edge. A good attitude works wonders most of the time. Couple yrs ago got pulled over for speeding.(77mph in 55mph). Considered reckless driving because of spd. Cop asked me why I thought he pulled me over and I said because I was speeding. He reduced my spd on ticket to below reckless from my demeanor for sure. I live in a police state with random roadblocks(checks). Guess my whole point is it comes down to the state you live in , and the part of that state you live in. Just a thought.

 

Same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago. Politeness (and no record) help a lot. Coulda gotten reckless driving but got "Fail to obey hwy sign" instead