Laws regarding lights?

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06-03-2010, 09:45 PM
unmamfqlm

Laws regarding lights?

I recently bought a set of fog lights for my truck, which are 55 watt lights. To say the least, they are much brighter than what I orignally thought they would be. 55 seemed to be in the middle, so that's just what I went with. Is anybody aware of any laws regarding brightness in general or regarding where they can be mounted? I live in Kentucky if anybody else, by chance is familiar with such a thing in the area. I do have them mounted low and facing down as far as they can go while still proving to be useful while driving.
06-03-2010, 10:09 PM
grasshopper

Re: Laws regarding lights?

you shouldn't have any problem. from what i know factory bulbs on cars are 55watt. if you go any higher like 70 80 watts few things more wattage more heat make damage housing or even harness connectors. silver start makes good bulbs little brighter then stock and they are DOT approved. hids also are alote brighter and only use 35 watts. jus make sure you do a retrofit with projectors so you dont blind oncoming traffic. hope this helps man!
06-03-2010, 10:16 PM
CJR238

Re: Laws regarding lights?

I got a ticket for my aftermarket fog lights once. I found out they fell into a dazzling lights category like police and ambulance. Apparently in NY any aftermarket lights are not aloud to be used on lighted public roads. :mad:

However this was a time when if a cop saw my car they would pull me over. :evil:
06-03-2010, 10:54 PM
NissanA

Re: Laws regarding lights?

The southern states are usually lenient when it comes to modifications to your ride. I don't see how you would have any trouble with after market fog lights, unless they are ridiculously bright.
06-03-2010, 11:48 PM
unmamfqlm

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasshopper

you shouldn't have any problem. from what i know factory bulbs on cars are 55watt. if you go any higher like 70 80 watts few things more wattage more heat make damage housing or even harness connectors. silver start makes good bulbs little brighter then stock and they are DOT approved. hids also are alote brighter and only use 35 watts. jus make sure you do a retrofit with projectors so you dont blind oncoming traffic. hope this helps man!

Thanks for the info. The "blinding" people is what I'm a bit worried about. After you get about 30 yards in front of my truck, they are very bright. I probably do need to look into the projectors for them. Something else that I believe I may have screwed up on is the mounting. These are bit bigger than my old lights. As of now, a small portion of my license plate bracket is in front of each light. It's just a fraction of an inch but it still makes me wonder if the lights might melt the bracket.
06-03-2010, 11:50 PM
unmamfqlm

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJR238

I got a ticket for my aftermarket fog lights once. I found out they fell into a dazzling lights category like police and ambulance. Apparently in NY any aftermarket lights are not aloud to be used on lighted public roads. :mad:

However this was a time when if a cop saw my car they would pull me over. :evil:

Wow, your local enforcement seems to be pretty strict.
06-04-2010, 05:24 AM
Fritter

Re: Laws regarding lights?

As long as it's not a distraction and a safety concern at night then you should be okay.

F
06-04-2010, 07:40 AM
CJR238

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by unmamfqlm

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJR238

I got a ticket for my aftermarket fog lights once. I found out they fell into a dazzling lights category like police and ambulance. Apparently in NY any aftermarket lights are not aloud to be used on lighted public roads. :mad:

However this was a time when if a cop saw my car they would pull me over. :evil:

Wow, your local enforcement seems to be pretty strict.

Only if they want to be. :cool:
06-09-2010, 08:04 PM
Swamp

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.
06-09-2010, 09:06 PM
9500ier

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...
06-09-2010, 09:23 PM
CJR238

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9500ier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...

These are the reasons i got my ticket above. But it was called Dazzling lights.
06-09-2010, 11:20 PM
AirMoore

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJR238

... But it was called Dazzling lights.

Who pushed that through; Larry Craig did some gov't work where you live before going to Idaho? :D
06-10-2010, 06:51 AM
CJR238

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirMoore

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJR238

... But it was called Dazzling lights.

Who pushed that through; Larry Craig did some gov't work where you live before going to Idaho? :D

:lol:
06-10-2010, 08:32 PM
Swamp

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9500ier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...

Well, yes I meant to say what I said, but your question leads me to ask what do you think I said?
I meant that you can't turn the fog lights and the head lights on at the same time, not that you can't have fog lights itstalled on a vehicle that also has head lights.
06-14-2010, 08:05 PM
The Funk

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9500ier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...

Well, yes I meant to say what I said, but your question leads me to ask what do you think I said?
I meant that you can't turn the fog lights and the head lights on at the same time, not that you can't have fog lights itstalled on a vehicle that also has head lights.

The law makes no sense. The fogs on my car will not work unless I have the headlights on. Given this law logic I cannot run my brights at the same time as my headlights. They are different bulbs as my lows are HIDs.
06-15-2010, 01:39 AM
Lucky225

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Funk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9500ier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...

Well, yes I meant to say what I said, but your question leads me to ask what do you think I said?
I meant that you can't turn the fog lights and the head lights on at the same time, not that you can't have fog lights itstalled on a vehicle that also has head lights.

The law makes no sense. The fogs on my car will not work unless I have the headlights on. Given this law logic I cannot run my brights at the same time as my headlights. They are different bulbs as my lows are HIDs.

That's right, if I run my fogs and headlights at the same time, and then turn the brights on the fogs turn off. This is an interesting way to get people's attention though, if you keep pressing the highbeam forward and backwards, it will create an alternating High beam / fogs / high beam / fogs.. On the free way it gets people to move over pretty quick :p
06-18-2010, 10:39 PM
spartcus

Re: Laws regarding lights?

I'm running HID's 6k lights head and fog.
06-19-2010, 08:07 PM
JCM

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9500ier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...

Are you referring to high beams as "passing lights"? not tryin to be a smarta$$ just tryin to figure out what yall are talking about.

My fogs turn off when I hit my high beams, I always thought this was because fog lights are designed to illuminate below the fog (or atleast below eye level), but if you run your high beams in the fog, the light will just reflect back off the fog and actually decrease visibility, hence if using fog lights for there true purpose, you shouldn't need high beams at the same time, it would be counterproductive.

I always have my fogs on, just habit when I turn on my lights I turn on the fogs as well.

Had a pair of 150 watt kc's on the front of my lifted jeep, were absolutely blinding so I only used them if I was the only one on the road, or off road, they were good for moving over left lane hogs, especially at night. :D
06-19-2010, 11:31 PM
Lucky225

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9500ier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...

Are you referring to high beams as "passing lights"? not tryin to be a smarta$$ just tryin to figure out what yall are talking about.

My fogs turn off when I hit my high beams, I always thought this was because fog lights are designed to illuminate below the fog (or atleast below eye level), but if you run your high beams in the fog, the light will just reflect back off the fog and actually decrease visibility, hence if using fog lights for there true purpose, you shouldn't need high beams at the same time, it would be counterproductive.

I always have my fogs on, just habit when I turn on my lights I turn on the fogs as well.

Had a pair of 150 watt kc's on the front of my lifted jeep, were absolutely blinding so I only used them if I was the only one on the road, or off road, they were good for moving over left lane hogs, especially at night. :D

I always liked how you're not allowed to run just your fog lamps and must be running headlamps at the same time :rolleyes:

V.C. Section 24403 - Foglamps

24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution of, headlamps.
06-20-2010, 12:23 AM
Nothegger

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky225

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9500ier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...

Are you referring to high beams as "passing lights"? not tryin to be a smarta$$ just tryin to figure out what yall are talking about.

My fogs turn off when I hit my high beams, I always thought this was because fog lights are designed to illuminate below the fog (or atleast below eye level), but if you run your high beams in the fog, the light will just reflect back off the fog and actually decrease visibility, hence if using fog lights for there true purpose, you shouldn't need high beams at the same time, it would be counterproductive.

I always have my fogs on, just habit when I turn on my lights I turn on the fogs as well.

Had a pair of 150 watt kc's on the front of my lifted jeep, were absolutely blinding so I only used them if I was the only one on the road, or off road, they were good for moving over left lane hogs, especially at night. :D

I always liked how you're not allowed to run just your fog lamps and must be running headlamps at the same time :rolleyes:

V.C. Section 24403 - Foglamps

24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution of, headlamps.

I'm not sure that's the case. I believe that should written to prevent people using fog lights instead of headlights e.g. during night when there is no fog. Runing headlights and fog lights in the fog may be counterproductive.
06-20-2010, 01:24 AM
Lucky225

Re: Laws regarding lights?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nothegger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky225

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9500ier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp

Many states prohibit running fog lights and head lights at the same time. I got stopped for that in LA, and a buddy got a ticket here in TN for it.

Did you mean to say what you said?

Most states prohibit more than 4 forward facing lights on at a time. That is why if you have separate flashing (passing) lights, and you have your fogs on, when you hit the flashers the fogs cut off... its actually a US import regulation on cars for sale in the US for road use if I recall correctly. BTW, there are many cars in the US that don't run fogs without headlights...

Are you referring to high beams as "passing lights"? not tryin to be a smarta$$ just tryin to figure out what yall are talking about.

My fogs turn off when I hit my high beams, I always thought this was because fog lights are designed to illuminate below the fog (or atleast below eye level), but if you run your high beams in the fog, the light will just reflect back off the fog and actually decrease visibility, hence if using fog lights for there true purpose, you shouldn't need high beams at the same time, it would be counterproductive.

I always have my fogs on, just habit when I turn on my lights I turn on the fogs as well.

Had a pair of 150 watt kc's on the front of my lifted jeep, were absolutely blinding so I only used them if I was the only one on the road, or off road, they were good for moving over left lane hogs, especially at night. :D

I always liked how you're not allowed to run just your fog lamps and must be running headlamps at the same time :rolleyes:

V.C. Section 24403 - Foglamps

24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution of, headlamps.

I'm not sure that's the case. I believe that should written to prevent people using fog lights instead of headlights e.g. during night when there is no fog. Runing headlights and fog lights in the fog may be counterproductive.

No trust me, this was DRILLED INTO MY HEAD during driver's ed, AND it's a trick question on the Ca DMV written test (When can you operate a vehicle with only it's fog lights? a) parked b) during fog c) never. - the answer is C).