Ticket for no beacon light!

[BOUNDS-ELECTRIC]

I was talking to plowers in Washington, D.C. ! Got fined for having plow on with no beacon light! I would like to see that Cop in a ditch! Has anyone heard of this?

[Lawngodfather]

Citizans ticket for illegal parking?

[BRL]

Yes, many towns\states have laws that say you must use safety lights when using a plow truck. NJ actually has a law that you have to have a license to use the lights, BUT you can only get the license if you are doing a contract for the state. So here I could get a ticket for using the lights, which is ridiculous IMO.

[JohnnyU]

The county mounties do that around here, it's fairly common actually.

All that is required is for it to be amber, 360° visable for 500 feet, and mounted as high as possible. I think the ticket is $75, that right there would almost buy the light, then you'd have no problems, and would be safer.

[mac]

I've heard of it around here, never have talk to anyone that has got one.

[John DiMartino]

that doesnt bother me,I use lights on all my trucks.Id rather have that to be honest.I dotn like when you have plow trucks backing into the road,in a driving storm and you cant see them because they have no light. That is common here.

[NovaLC]

The majority of guys around here don't use anything! I know people who have been plowing for many years and still don't have any type of warning device.

And we're talking about backing out of driveways onto busy streets!

[jt5019]

Ive always used them on our trucks.Id rather be safe than sorry it doesnt cost much to throw a strobe on the roof :)

[DanG]

I have them and use them.
Sometimes I only use them when i'm right near the road where i want people to be able to see me so i don't get hit.
And then turn them off when i'm back in off of the highway or near the house so it doesn't shine into their house at 4am or whenever i'm doing it.

Dan

[sonjaab]

Same here in upstate NY.......I have been warned about
having a yellow flashing light when plowing by the local
cops. I do have one but sometimes forget to turn it on!
(DUH!)

Not sure if it is a state or local law here tho............geo

[ratlover]

Originally posted by SnowyBowtie
The county mounties do that around here, it's fairly common actually.

All that is required is for it to be amber, 360° visable for 500 feet, and mounted as high as possible. I think the ticket is $75, that right there would almost buy the light, then you'd have no problems, and would be safer.

In peoria you have to have your light on anytime you have your blade on? Usualy I dont have it on when transporting unless I am on a narrow road or its realy nasty out. Its always on when in a lot though.....

[Hankinator]

This is the first year I ever plowed.....I live in a small town in Indiana. I saw the Sheriff at the local chicken place and asked what lights are required for having a plow on your truck. His answer was:

Your headlamps have to be visable with the plow up or down.
You don't have to have running or turn signal lamps visable in the front.

He also stated a yellow/amber warning strobe was allowed to be used but totally optional.

I have tried to ask the local DMV but they do not know or care.
I have called the state police but have not been able to get to the correct people.

Any Indiana guys know for sure?

Later

Hankinator

[ratlover]

You should be able to get the vehicular code book from your SOS or talk to the SOS guys that do the vehical inspections.....they seem to be the most knowldgable on stuff.

[windmill]

In BC no one knows anything . . . . until your @$$ is stopped on the side of the highway, then they know the minimum size of a rust spot permitted on the inside of your muffler!!:mad:
I'm surprised I haven't seen some one with our DOT bent over on the side of the highway coughing!

[GMCHD4x4]

found this dont know if its any help. I was looking for info. in Illinois for warning lights nothing, so it not a law?


http://www.angelfire.com/ia/maep/lightlaws.html

[JohnnyU]

Phillip,
I got pulled over once in the heights. He just asked that I turn it on when transporting. No ticket, just a verbal request. My buddy got a ticket out in Dunlap one time, and I have heard of people downtown and near Bartonville getting tickets. This is usually when its still snowing out, or the roads are still slick. If I'm driving around the next day, clear skies, and dry roads, I won't have it on.

I figure, I paid good money for the damn thing, I'm sure as hell gonna use it, besides, it looks Hella cool!!!pimp

[ratlover]

Yup.....chicks dig plow trucks :D

although oddly enough I am still single :confused: :rolleyes: :D

Once i get my strobes installed I will probably just run them on the roads since I dont think they will be as distracting as the full bore whirly action. I'm puting a clear and an amber in the center of my lightbar so it will just show front and back.

Blinkyness is cool :shades :D

[CPSS]

In NY state, you are required to use an amber warning light ( Sect 375 and Sect 117-a, NYS Vehicle and traffic Law) The only exception is that during daylight hours you may display 2 red flags visible for at least 500 feet, instead of the warning light.

[sonjaab]

CPSS

Thanks for the clarification on the yellow warning light
deal in NY !......................geo

[CPSS]

I have the complete section here in the computer somewhere. If anyone wants to read it, I'll post it.

[BOUNDS-ELECTRIC]

Originally posted by BOUNDS-ELECTRIC
I was talking to plowers in Washington, D.C. ! Got fined for having plow on with no beacon light! I would like to see that Cop in a ditch! Has anyone heard of this?
I NEED TO ADD! THERE WAS NO SNOW FALLING, CLEAR DAY, SUN SHINNIG, HE WAS MOVING FROM ONE LOT TO ANOTHER! SORRY I LET THIS OUT!

[snonut12]

Originally posted by CPSS
In NY state, you are required to use an amber warning light ( Sect 375 and Sect 117-a, NYS Vehicle and traffic Law) The only exception is that during daylight hours you may display 2 red flags visible for at least 500 feet, instead of the warning light.

I am aware that amber lights are permitted in NYS and that there is no limit, but I was not aware that amber lights is required for snowplowing. I have seen the Section 375, but not the Section 117-a.

Neitherless, I always use amber warning lights when I am snowplowing. I also use it in other situations when I feel it is necessary for the safety of everyone.

[cardoctor]

Originally posted by BOUNDS-ELECTRIC
I was talking to plowers in Washington, D.C. ! Got fined for having plow on with no beacon light! I would like to see that Cop in a ditch! Has anyone heard of this?

do you have to have the beacon on all the time or only when your actually plowing
john

[V65Sabre]

We run the blue strobes here , mostly if plowing anywhere near the roads (visibility is a good thing). Our policy is they are there, use em. Plowing in and around blind corners I really appreciate them. One local was fined $90 for plowing his own drive, O.P.P (Ontario Provincial Police) happened by. That was 2 yrs ago I would guess the fine would be higher now. Some people just ignore them but most tend to slow down if just to see what's going on.
Just 2 cents from here

[NovaLC]

Originally posted by V65Sabre
We run the blue strobes here , mostly if plowing anywhere near the roads (visibility is a good thing). Our policy is they are there, use em. Plowing in and around blind corners I really appreciate them. One local was fined $90 for plowing his own drive, O.P.P (Ontario Provincial Police) happened by. That was 2 yrs ago I would guess the fine would be higher now. Some people just ignore them but most tend to slow down if just to see what's going on.
Just 2 cents from here

Sometimes I wonder why I even use any type of warning device.

There is a total lack of respect for the blue light around here. I can be working in the middle of the road moving snow from a customers driveway and people will litterally drive around me WHILE I AM MOVING BACKWARDS!

It's gotten to the point where I'm almost screaming to myself and almost trying to purposely ram these a**holes to the other side of the street.

It's like, their life is SO important they can't wait litterally 10 seconds for me to finish cleaning the road after backdragging.

But nevertheless I still run my lights because to me, it's all apart of snowplowing. I love watching everything light up in blue when I pull into a subdivision.

Sometimes I couldn't care less about other peoples safety when they have no regards for mine.

[jbutch83]

Hankinator,

Indiana law does not require that you use a warning light, but you are allowed to use a yellow or amber light when snowplowing. Again, it is not required by law to have one on, but it does not hurt to use as much warning power that you can.

John

[BWinkel]

In Maine, an amber warning light is required when engaged in snow removal or sanding activities in a public way. It is also required when backing out of a private drive onto a public way. I still saw about four trucks plowing without an amber light in the last storm. They weren't easy to see with snowfall rates of 2 - 3" per hour. I leave my light on even when I'm going from driveway to driveway. I think anything I can do to improve visibility and avoid an accident is well worth it.

[BOUNDS-ELECTRIC]

Originally posted by cardoctor
do you have to have the beacon on all the time or only when your actually plowing
john WHAT HE STATED WAS ANY TIME A PLOW WAS ON THE TRUCK!

[Honest Mike]

Guys, does anyone here from NJ know if its required here in NJ or is it illegal if you are a private guy? This is funny this topic came up, because the last couple of days I was thinking about getting one. I dont want the one that just spins around though, I like the one that blinks real fast two or three times, then stops for a second, then repeats. Whats that kind called? That must be a strobe kind I guess. Thats the newer kind I think, all the newer town trucks I see have this kind. The older design was the one that just rotated around. How much is one of these, the kind I like, and can you just plug them into the lighter like you can the original kind, or is there more wiring to do? If you can get the one I like with just a plug right to the lighter and nothing else, Im definitely getting it, that is if it isnt illegal here to have. I agree with the guys above who say it helps for people to see you and take caution while passing you or whatever. Mike :)

[The Boss]

I've never heard of that here. I personally wouldn't plow without one because of all the stupid drivers out there when it snows. I've got a mini lightbar from Northern Tool.

[CPSS]

I am aware that amber lights are permitted in NYS and that there is no limit, but I was not aware that amber lights is required for snowplowing. I have seen the Section 375, but not the Section 117-a.

Stephen, section 117a defines a "hazard vehicle" ....refers to utility vehicles, tow vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, and "ice and snow removal where such operation involves the use of a public highway...."

section 375 3.a Amber Lights.........."shall be displayed on a hazard vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in hazardous operation."

[campi]

Mike97, as you know iused to live in Jersey have relitives on state police, you need to have amber warning lights on highest point on plow vechical, roof, rack,Etc. while you are plowing does not matter commercial or residential, also goes for pa. there cheap and its for your on protection!!! I also installed back up alarm, $7.00 hooked it in side frame in back and spliced it into back up lights!! be careful make $$$$ let it snow Campi !!!!!plowing! :cash

[snonut12]

Mike, the light that "rotated around" you are referring to is called halogen rotator. And yes, the kind that flashes a few times then a brief pause, then resume flashing is called strobe. IMO people who think that strobes are better because they are intensity in flashing rate, which would cause the motorists eyes to become glued at you. IMO it would be a bad thing because they would be more interested in looking at your "pretty lights" instead of focusing on snow covered road. :eek: Also the flashing of strobe do tend to distract the motorists because the intensity of flashing rate can throw them out of balance. Another disadvantage of strobe is that they are easily bounced off the snow flakes which would be inefficient.

This is why I chose halogen rotators instead of strobes. Sure they may draw a few more current, but I feel that they are better and more safer to the public. The rotators are really efficient in cutting through heavy snow, and if you happen to be plowing somewhere that is obstructing the view of motorists, chance are they still would know you are there because the rotator lights can reflect off the side of building, etc. The rotators seems to be smooth and easier on eyes of people than strobes because the lights are flashing nice and steady.

These are the reason why I think that halogen rotators are the way to go. :cool: Some probably won't agree with me, but I guess that is their preference.

If I am not mistaken, it would be illegal for you to use amber lights when plowing unless you have a contract with the state of NJ. :rolleyes:

[snonut12]

CPSS, thanks for the information. I did not know that the definition of "hazard vehicle" include snowplow trucks because I never saw the Section 117-a. I just never thought that snowplow trucks would be referred as "hazard vehicle", but now I do.

Even if it is not required, everyone should run their own warning lights just for safety sake.

[windmill]

wxmn6, I agree with you about the rotators vs. the strobe. I think that each may have its place though. Most of the commercial site that I do have no traffic going through them when I am plowing and so I use strobes.

If they were to have a lot of traffic I would used the rotators because, as you said the light reflects off of the buildings asa it rotates and you will probably be noticed because of the reflection off of a wall (especially corners).

I also do some complexes, often by about 0430-0500, here I also like the stobes, reasonably visible to the sparse traffic, yet not disturbing to those who might be sleeping because the strobes don't reflect off the bedroom walls over . . . and over . . . and over again.

I do have a rotator too, but only use it in what I believe to be the appropriate place.

Just some thoughts.

[nsmilligan]

I think plowing with out some kind of visible warning device would leave you with an insurance issue. Today it seems more and more that even idiots have a defense for their lack of common sense. Pouring hot coffee on your boobs, burning your mouth on hot onion rings, and yes slipping on ice in winter. We have to show that we ( as plowers) have taken every reasonable precaution to warn the idiots that we are there preforming a service. So the guy that wrote the ticket may have done you a favor.

Bill

[scl]

The only exception is that during daylight hours you may display 2 red flags visible for at least 500 feet, instead of the warning light
Is this why Western's marker guides have the annoying little red flag?
I took the dang things off, they drive you crazy LOL

[campi]

In new jersey, pa. you must have an amber light, while plowing commercial, resitential sites, its true while plowing any state or county roads, while plowing for them, must have amber lights going!!! private trucks are not supposed to use those lights while on roads, but in some cases i have used my amber lights on state and county roads, if some one in trouble, white out conditions and other emergencys, to warn other drivers, to slow down or bring thier attention to a situation and law has never said any thing to me in n.j. or p.a. just my observation!! Campi!!!!! let it snow :cash plowing!

[BRL]

"In new jersey, pa. you must have an amber light, while plowing commercial, resitential sites,"

Campi can you direct me to the law for NJ that you are referencing in this comment? Haven't found anything that says that so far, and none of the other Jersey guys that I know who have researched have found such a regulation. Only thing we have found is that they can't give you a ticket for using them in private lots, but as soon as you back out into a road, you are supposed to have the license for the light, that we can't get unless we have a state contract. :rolleyes: Luckily, the LEO's around here don't harass us for this, so we can be safer & not get ticketed for it. I have seen others from NJ post that they did know people who got tickets for this. The other PIA is you have to remember to remove your lights before going to the inspection station, or you will fail for them :rolleyes:

[campi]

BRL, this is what i found!!!!CODE- 30:3-54, that allows the use of forward- facing flashing lights between the colors of white and amber,and rearward- facing lights between the colors of red and amber. the limitations are that the lights must flash simultaneously(no wig-wags) and can not be mounted be hind the grill!!!!!! I will try and get more info for you , since i have relitives on nj state police, thats all i could find for know!! hope this helps some, i live in pa. now but plow in warren county nj. never had a problem, some times even left light on after leaving a job, never been bothered by locals when i left light on by mistake!!! Campi !!!!!:cash

[Honest Mike]

I hope Im not making a mistake, because I ordered a real nice strobe type beacon for the roof of my truck. I only plan on turning it on while im plowing a driveway or lot. Im not gonna ride around with it on. I honestly think a cop would have to be a real jerk to stop you while our plowing to write you a ticket for having an amber warning light. Plus, in the middle of a snowstorm, not many cops are out on the roads so it seems, all you see is SUV's and plow trucks everywhere you look. Well I guess Ill see what happens. Mike :cool:

[90plow]

Mike the problem in jersey is not the actual "during the storm" not too many will pull you over, BUT if you have it on at all with out a permit you are automatically at fault for any trafic accident on or off and if a cop pulls you ovedr with it off he can ask for a permit if you dont have it = ticket. This is what I've heard from the police in my town (randolph) and my friends who have gotten tickets. They cause alot of problems around here in good ol' NJ. I took mine off I could have gotten the permit because my dad does work for morris township sometimes and he has records, but I pulled it rather than have a lawsuit. IMO get a magnet mount that way you pull it before the cops get to the accident and you can pull it in the summer.
My .02
Eric

[Honest Mike]

Yep, thats what I ordered, a magnet type mount. I will put it on the roof when the snow happens and take it off the roof when Im done. I dont plan on leaving it on the roof all winter, just stick it up there when the snow is flyin. Doing this should keep me out of trouble hopefully. Mike :)

[Chuck Smith]

I have the application for a permit in front of me. PM me your fax # if you want a copy. Mike, if your truck is registered to the station, you could squeak by with a permit based on using it for emergency road service. The permit application must be signed by a Chief of Police. Even if it is not owned by the sation, you can possibly swing it....

As BRL said, in NJ, you must have a government contract to get a permit for plowing. You can get the permit for other reasons, and just use it when you plow ;)

IF you have a government contract, you must attach a copy of the contract to the application. When the contract expires, so does the permit you are issued.

For the record, the "permit" they give you is just a letter stating you can have the amber lights. If you have multiple trucks, you need to place a copy of the letter in each one.

~Chuck

[gvlawncare]

Do any of you know the reason why NJ is so strict with amber lights? Seems kind of foolish to me that you must have a municipal contract to be issued a permit. :confused:

[campi]

Chuck Smith is correct, you do need a permit to have amber lights on your truck!! the code i posted is a gray area!!! i have talked to several cops in different areas where i plow they wont bother you!! in n.j. I used to plow rts, 10,280,287,46 with tandems and up untill 3 yrs ago we were not required to have amber lights!!! just state veheles behind us had amber ligts on!! one menber on this site stated his friend got a ticket in randloph, nj! that is one of the toughtest towns in northwest nj !!! you will get a ticket there if you have a marker light out!! Sorry if i mis led any one with the code i posted before, like i said its a gray area!! also Mike 97 plowed many years in e. hanover with amber lights on truck, never a problem!! but times do change !! this is a great site and there are many views on ouestions and answers , and no one gets put down , for stating there remarks!! its a good think to be corrected when your wrong, and get the right answer!!! Thanks Campi !!!!!:cash let it snow !!!!!!!plowing!

[Chuck Smith]

NJ Motor Vehicles has a lot of odd laws. It is due to the dense population here, IMO. Many years ago, I had a friend in Randolph. He lived on Park Ave. I used to visit for a few days at a time durning school vacations. We had a lot of fun there riding his KDX 80 in the woods behind his house. Now that is a new development. No woods left. A lot of kids had dirt bikes back then, because there were not enough police officers. There were Cadets on mopeds, LOL.

280.... Hiler Trucking plows that now. 80.... Mount Hope Trucking plows that now (AKA Mount Hope Rock Products before Tilcon bought them out). Rt 3, Salomone Brothers plows that. It is the first time I saw a plow on a cement mixer! Seeing Hiler on 280, not all of the trucks had amber lights, only a few of them.

After the blizzard of 96, Mount Hope had huge loaders out of the quarry clearing the shoulders on 80 for a week. They didn't have amber lights on them. There were State pick ups with amber lights following them.

A company out of Randolph (Walt's Haulage) used to plow Eagle Rock Ave from West Orange to E. Hanover with a Diamond REO, with no dump body on the back, just a 6' diameter log chained to the frame rails. I loved watching that truck plow.

Drifting off topic here. I think one of the main reasons NJ is so strict with laws on amber lights is that an amber light can really disrupt traffic, and with the amount of traffic we have, it can be catastrophic. That and the fact that people that have pickups who do driveways and commercial sites drive around with their amber lights on, when going from job to job.

~Chuck

[campi]

Chuck, its funny you mention it i was driving bllu diamond t plowing eagle rock ave!! yes he did have a blue tractor no body on it , small world , also plowed for bill hiler , plowed picatiny arsnel for 2 yrs with my pick up , as you said mant things have changed since i started with my own tandem in 1972!!!! i have to mention it again, been plowing for many yrs as you can see , but you have created a very good site here, and after all the yrs plowing i still learn something new !!!!! Thanks Campi !!!!plowing! :cash

[Bill c]

The way it was explained to me in ny a set of roof marker lights is all that is needed to comply with the law.

[campi]

Bill c as you can see from all the posts the law is different from state to state in p.a. we are supposed to have amber lights with out permit law states private mail carrieres, garbage collectors, private snow removal trucks have to have amber lights!! like every think else not every one does!! Campi !!!!:cash

[BRL]

campi,
Actually the world is even just a little smaller than previously thought. I'll let Chuck tell you why ;)

OK The statute that you referenced is actually 39:3-54.
All that statute talks about really is specifics of how and where your amber warning light is to be placed on the vehicle, IF you have a permit to use one. That statute makes no reference to any snowplowing, or any other reason you may have a permit to use one. I searched for a while & couldn't find any statutes about plowing & lights, but I know I've read the regulations on having a permit & that you need to have a contract with NJ to be doing construction or snowplowing for NJ. The rest of us can go scratch :rolleyes: and create unsafe conditions on our densely trafficed roads by not having warning lights. Its a good thing the cops are generally too busy during snow storms dealing with the thousands of accidents etc. to stop us for these tickets, and many of them ignore the law because they realize its safer that we are using them.

Chuck wrote:
"If you have multiple trucks, you need to place a copy of the letter in each one."

I thought I read, and contractors have told me, they needed to purchase a separaate permit for each vehicle, not one for the company or contract.??

[CPSS]

Originally posted by Bill c
The way it was explained to me in ny a set of roof marker lights is all that is needed to comply with the law.

Nope, thats not correct, In NY, required light is amber, flashing or revolving, visible for at least 500 feet.

[campi]

BRL, i did admit, i was wrong about that code i posted, you are right, chuck posted the correct info, like i said been in the trucking bussiness for over 30 yrs rules and laws change it seems every day!! i run amber light in jersey, was never bothered , lived there all my live until 3 yrs ago , like i said before i learn some thing new almost every day on this site, never to old to learn!! thanks to chuck, and the other members here!!! Thanks Campi !!!!!:cash

[Bill c]

Thanks for the correction CPSS my girlfriends father is a retired trooper and when I asked him thats what he told me.Its nice to get the correct info from a great forum like this.

[Chuck Smith]

Ok, since my scanner is not hooked up, I will type up a post with all the info on the 3 page packet with application for NJ. The rest of you can laugh at how ridiculous it is in NJ.

~Chuck

[Honest Mike]

Chuck, I love reading your replies! It seems you always know so much about many different topics. :) It seems Hiler plows Eisenhower Parkway too, because they get off there I guess to swing around and head back down 280, but I noticed when they get off, they keep the plows lowered and their plowin away. :D The trucks I saw though, only one of them said Hiler, the rest were other names. I know Hilers trucks are green and they say Hiler in yellow. Mike :cool:

[Chuck Smith]

http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/amber_lights_for_plow_trucks.html

Ok, took me an hour to type it up.

It is not official. I said that a few times on the page. I have visions of someone printing it, and trying to use it to apply. That office is not the nicest, so I would tread lightly when applying and dealing with them.

~Chuck

[CPSS]

Billc, those 5 amber lights some of have on our roofs from the factory are "ICC clearance lights" They are mounted on large, tall, or wide vehicles by the vehicle manfacturer in compliance with the Interstate commerce commission to identify such vehicles to other drivers. When a plow is attached, it certainly applies, as the vehicle is wider than normal. They come on with the parking lights.

[76chevyman]

I wounder what the law is in Connecticut? I run Amger lights just because i choose to but i wounder if there is a law. I dont think so because im like one of three people with lights on there truck the rest have no lights.

[CPSS]

Try doing an internet search under your state Dept of Motor Vehicles, Assembly, Legislature or something similar. You will probably find the laws listed somewhere.

[Pelican]

I think it's time you Joisey guys got organized and start hounding your State politicians to get this law changed. I believe California may be the only other state that restricts the use of amber lights on vehicles, the amount of safety you gain with an amber warning light far outweighs any traffic slow down you might create.

Plus, isn't slowing vehicles down the whole point of having a warning light? Studies have shown that people recognize flashing amber as marking a hazardous condition, such as a plow vehicle being in an unexpected position. This is why you are seeing more and more amber lights on the backs of Emergency Services vehicles, studies have shown that the equipment is less likely to be hit while parked on scene with amber flashing rather than red or white.

If you don't have a organization for plow contractors, or even construction contractors, maybe you can ask SIMA to get involved. You'll need to get at least one politician to sit and listen to your case, then convince him that the streets and highways would be safer with you all using adequate warning lights while plowing and have him be your link to getting legislation introduced. Explain it would be politically prudent to be supporting a measure that would make the public safer.

Too often laws are passed by those who have no clue with what they are regulating, and then no one to tell them their laws are not working. If it were presented in a professional fashion and you were to get the media on your side, I'm sure you could get changes made to make your jobs safer.

[labsnducks]

BOUNDS-ELECTRIC,
Was the person ticketed in DC, VA, or MD? as i know several people that plow in all 3? ( you can be in all 3 in a matter of min.)
I am waiting to get the offical version on the Maryland Law.

I curently run a mix of strobes and rotating beacons and have never been stopped, I have a few close friends in LE both state and county and have asked them to get me a copy of the law.

Mike

[BOUNDS-ELECTRIC]

Originally posted by labsnducks
BOUNDS-ELECTRIC,
Was the person ticketed in DC, VA, or MD? as i know several people that plow in all 3? ( you can be in all 3 in a matter of min.)
I am waiting to get the offical version on the Maryland Law.

I curently run a mix of strobes and rotating beacons and have never been stopped, I have a few close friends in LE both state and county and have asked them to get me a copy of the law.

Mike

He was from D.C. but was in Annapolis, Md. City cop stopped him!

[labsnducks]

WOW, I'm in Annapolis almost daily, i've never had a problem!

I'll get a copy, hopfully tommrow, and i'll let you know what the law is.

Mike

[labsnducks]

The only laws i can find state:

22-208 "Clearence, identification, and marker lamps and reflectors required." Clearance lamps, marker lamps, ect. for certain vehicles.-(1) Buses and trucks 80 inches or more in overall width shall have on the front two clearence lamps at each side and three in the middle.

22-218.2 Amber lights on tow trucks, escort, and maintenance vehicles. (a) Amber lights. - One or more amber flashing lights may be displayed: (1) By a tow truck while at the scene of an accident or disabled vehicle or while towing a vehicle; and
(2)By snow removal and other highway maintenance and service equipment and escort vehicles.

This came out of "The Maryland Vehicle Law" book.

I was told that there is another law book in which there are more law more directed at Commerical Vehicles and i'm waiting to see if that book has any thing else to add.

Mike

[labsnducks]

The only laws i can find state:

22-208 "Clearence, identification, and marker lamps and reflectors required." Clearance lamps, marker lamps, ect. for certain vehicles.-(1) Buses and trucks 80 inches or more in overall width shall have on the front two clearence lamps at each side and three in the middle.

22-218.2 Amber lights on tow trucks, escort, and maintenance vehicles. (a) Amber lights. - One or more amber flashing lights may be displayed: (1) By a tow truck while at the scene of an accident or disabled vehicle or while towing a vehicle; and
(2)By snow removal and other highway maintenance and service equipment and escort vehicles.

This came out of "The Maryland Vehicle Law" book.

I was told that there is another law book in which there are more law more directed at Commerical Vehicles and i'm waiting to see if that book has any thing else to add.

Mike

[JCurtis]

76 chevy...

Connecticut requires a permit for amber lights, actually for any warning light. Even Volunteer firemen are required to get a permit for their blue lights.

Permit costs $7.00 per year, per truck and must be signed by the Chief of Police.

This is for using the warning lights on public streets, NOT private property.

I must say that all the years I ran amber lights on my truck I hardly ever shut them off during a storm, whether I was on a public street or private property, and I never got stopped, warned or ticketed.

I currently do not have a permit for a flashing amber light so I am careful not to use it on public roads. Most of my residential accounts are in the northern part of the city, so I won't get hassled there.

When I install my Whelen Light bar, I will get a permit. Not a large expense, just a hassle getting to the police station and getting it signed by the chief.

I think you can download the forms on the CT DMV web page or you can request them to mail them to you.

I think honestly its all how you handle getting pulled over... if you explain that you are just trying to make your vehicle as visible as possible in the name of public safety,and that you didnt know the requirement for a permit, you may be able to dodge a ticket

Not too many LEO's are gonna worry about you running amber lights during a snowstorm when they are busy responding to traffic accidents, traffic jams etc...

Just be polite and promise to get the permit.

[76chevyman]

Thanks for the input JCurtis I do a lot pf plowing mostly in westport and weston. But have a few in NOrwalk and Darien. Out of all the towns i will most likely be bothered by Darien. Plus those cop cars dont go to good in the snow and my plate is usally covered in snow LOL.


Rich :burnout

[phoenix827]

Originally posted by 76chevyman
I wounder what the law is in Connecticut? I run Amger lights just because i choose to but i wounder if there is a law. I dont think so because im like one of three people with lights on there truck the rest have no lights.
Last I knew, Amber does NOT require a permit anymore. I have permits for my BLUE lights, but that is it. I remember seeing something about requirements on the DMV website, Give me a sec and I will see what I can find.
Chris

[phoenix827]

ok, I was wrong :huh I know they have seperate permits for red, blue, green, red and white, and red,white and siren.

Here (http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=802&Q=244530&dmvPNavCtr=|#28290) is the misc fee chart.
Here is the form itself. (http://www.ct.gov/dmv/LIB/dmv/20/29/e-215.pdf)
It.s a PDF file so you can just download it.