LEO's sitting running radar -- need lights on?

**maskellxx** · 06-21-2007, 11:31 PM

A bunch of my friends are convinced that a LEO sitting running radar at night, must atleast have his running lights on. Apparently it's illegal to be blacked out. (I don't think so)
Most the time if it's a single cop I see nothing at all until I pass him, when it's more then one, I'll usually see running lights.
I am actually curious myself.

**JDS** · 06-21-2007, 11:40 PM

If that were true, I'd have one less ticket.

**Asleeper** · 06-22-2007, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by JDS

If that were true, I'd have one less ticket.

lol........x2

**Zeke Zacary** · 06-22-2007, 12:44 AM

My government teacher in high school (A very brilliant man. He should have ran for some sort of office) said that it is indeed illegal, in Texas anyway, for them to be blacked out. They have to have at least their running lights on. Each state may vary, however.

**bart99gt** · 06-22-2007, 04:52 AM

Not to mention it can be pretty dangerous. I almost smacked into a LEO once that had blacked out all his lights and then decided to pull a little closer to the shoulder of the road. He would have been a good candidate for the Darwin awards, IMHO.

**kpatz** · 06-22-2007, 05:35 AM

It varies from state to state. Some require lights, some don't. NH doesn't, meaning LEOs can be completely blacked out. :roll:

**erickonphoenix** · 06-22-2007, 05:45 AM

It used to be common practice in Texas for LEOs to have they're parking lights on but over the years I've seen it less and less.

I was told once by a LCPD officer that it's a policy decision set by the individual departments and ultimately under the officers discretion if it's safe not to have the lights on.

**TSi+WRX** · 06-22-2007, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

I was told once by a LCPD officer that it's a policy decision set by the individual departments and ultimately under the officers discretion if it's safe not to have the lights on.

^ That's pretty much the case here where I live, too.

**jerry540i** · 06-22-2007, 07:38 AM

I think its a state/local thing.

I remember reading a few years ago (and I'm gonna say Missouri, if memory serves me...) the cops used to get around the "lights on" policy by keeping a small flashlight lit up on their belts.

J/