NYS amber light law & retard cop.

[Got Grass]

Well I'm quite ticked at the monemt.

Had my amber light going as I pulled into a drive.
Same time I saw gumballs in my rear view.

Cop pulled me over (in a customers drive) for having an amber light on my truck while I was in the road. Said It's illegal to have an amber light on a truck while on the road.
But apparently it's ok to have it on while in a driveway.
Every time I back out into the road for the next pass or cleaning up an entrance I must turn the light off.
This cop said he constantly pulls people over for using an amber light...
What a ass this guy was.

NYS troopers & sherrifs don't care, a couple actually said it was a good thing I have a light. Same town cops don't care, but this one cop was a ****... Heck I still havent put my plowing permit on my window for 04 yet he never said anything about that, just the light.
This is the NYS code:

" 3. Amber lights. a. One or more amber lights may be affixed to a
hazard vehicle, and such a light or lights which display an amber light visible to all approaching traffic under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet from such vehicle shall be displayed on a hazard vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in a hazardous operation. "

Apparently when your driving it's not hazardous, or when you backdrag & the truck it in the road it's not hazardous only when your 100% in a driveway is it concidered hazardous.
He also said he has ticketed tow trucks for towing a wrecked vehical down the road w/ lights on.

I didn't get a ticket (odviously it would be a joke), but come on now... He also said I needed to keep my rear plate clean because it has slush on it... ok now how the heck is that possible?

I just dont understand. Why would he pick on me simply becasue of the amber light. Heck I'm suprised he didnt say anything about my front plate being blocked by the plow...


Anyone else having any problems with running a light?

[ih82plow]

I am in eastern ny and was clearing my OWN BUISNESS LOT.And I always plow into the lot NOTHING is pulled out into the street anyway I was in my lot the first snow of this season in the begining of december and was lighted up by a sheriff.

It was dark and I had my headlight off and just my marker lights on with my flashers (the entire lot is litup like daylight) I was in my back gated area.

Anyways he just stopped me to check for my permit,and beacon.Licence and registration.I explained I have not left the property,and my stobes and beacon was off not to disturb my residental neighbors next to my company.

He then quoted me about 3 laws I was breaking along with the rear plate being covered.And my back up flood lamps

I highley respect the men in blue But I felt he was doing it to brake my chops not to protect and serve and I guess I was the only one around to bother. Maybee if I was out in the road pushing the snow in and did not have the strobes going I would understand But I was allthe way hidden in the back of the building in my gate.

Again I didnt get a ticket,He was alittle nasty at first.I offered him the use of a clean bathroom if needed when he is working the area. He has been in twice since that night/morning.It ends up he is a regular guy just doing what he was told to do and that was ticket unsafe plow trucks.

[CPSS]

Got Grass, there is another section of the NYS V&T law that defines hazard vehicle.

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...."

The cop is wrong. Print this out and ask him to read up on the section. It says "involves the use of a public highway", it doesn't say plowing a public highway. Backing out into the highway sure qualifies.

[slplow]

Got grass, I think that cop needs a good kick in the -ss. That is like telling him, to shut his lights off while giving out tickets. Some cops should not be cops. They have to much of a ego.

[W-n-K Landscaping]

That cop definitely needs to be knocked down off of his high horse- I have a friend who is a trooper- anyone who wants a copy of the V&T law regarding lights let me know, I will call him and have hime make me up a copy and then send it to you guys. I think I am going to get a copy to carry in my truck . I never have a problem since I know 95% of the guys in my area through the fire department or ambulance corps I belong to locally, but if I go out of my area to help out another contractor I start to know fewer cops- and I don't rely on my blue light to get me out of things like alot of my friends do- wish they would grow up! LOL!
I try to always drive and push snow as safe as possible- last thing I need is a ticket or accident- that would definitely affect my being able to drive the fire trucks or ambulances!

Bill

[Mick]

WOW, those guys are rough. Glad I don't have to contend with something like that. Last weekend I was coming back from the restaurant. Got pulled over for expired registration/license plate. He asked if I knew it was expired and told him I did. I just hadn't gotten around to doing the online registration. So he started to write a warning for that. Then he realized my safety inspection was also expired so he asked if I knew that. I knew that, too. So he wrote a warning for "Unregistered and Uninspected vehicle". My son told me that would have been about $300 in fines.

[Roady]

Permits??? for what????

[Dave1250]

Hi all just my 2 cents . There are times when in law inforcement that you have bad days like all jobs . Most cops are very good about doing there job but some are new and are tring to inpress there boss with tickets . There are a few that are a bad name for there fellow officers . If you are haveing trouble with one and you know that you are right about what you are saying then get ahold of a higher ranking officer and ask if he would talk to the officer and set him straght on that law if you try to set him straght you might receave a few more tickets . Hope that helps

[sonjaab]

WOW Mike !...Maybe its the way you drive ! LOL !!!!

I have been yelled at by the cops for plowing with mine
OFF! Doing parking lots, driveways, whatever............geo

[ih82plow]

Originally posted by Roady
Permits??? for what????

In my area you need a plow permit.$50.00 for the year and the county that you have the permit with becomes a certificate holder of your liability insurance.$200.00 fine for plowing with no permit.And you also have to have a yellow warning light

[BWhite]

Along with permits come a lot of regulations . Whatever hoops they feel you should jump through .

[4evergreenlawns]

Guess they would not like this, 8 strobes and four flashers in the light bar plus the grill strobes

[4evergreenlawns]

lets not forget the rear

[BWhite]

You would need an oversize light permit Where do you have room for the GPS ?

[4evergreenlawns]

Right behind the light bar just under the cab shield. I have already tested it for location. Worked fine. I will go with a hard wired unit in the truck in place of the GPS phones. Less likely to lose a signal when they put the phone under the seat.

Something MASS should looking into. You can get them with magnet mounts too and just plug in the in lighter.

"Vote YES for GPS"

[ih82plow]

"Vote YES for GPS"

What is this about?

[ih82plow]

FOREVER GREEN

have you had the front strobes on in the snow yet.

I have mine switched off for plowing because they flash the snow and light it up and it gives me a headache no matter what pattern I run.

How bout you

[4evergreenlawns]

These flash fine in the snow. I was going to run found, two top, two lower but the flash back with the plow up was too much.

Where are yours in the front? I know that in the headlights the flash back is bad, but I think being set back in the grill and pointing downward some helps. As for the light bar that is not bad either. Again I think the location helps. Two of those white lenses are stobes the center two are work lights. I try to get some picture flashing at night.

[ih82plow]

Where are yours in the front?

I have a silverado and they are amber in the marker lights

[4evergreenlawns]

The lights in the GRILL are strobes and there are 8 strobes in the light bar. I have seen the hide-a-ways in the markers and headlights that do give lots of flash back in the snow. These in the grill are great.

BTW no picture loded.

[GreenQuest Lawn]

Man sounds like you guys up there on the east coast get it bad. I got pulled over one time cause my tail lights were out. Heck he never even got out of his car just yelled out the window that my lights were not working and to run with my hazzards on.

As far as the plate being covered, heck my backblade totally covers my plate. as long as the plow is on no one sees the plate. I have had cops right on my tail and not a problem.

I guess I am torn between here where there are no regulations. No permits, no requirement for Ins. No flasher law. The problem then is we get everyone and their brother plowing snow for cheap (like $35 per hr)

Then on the other hand you guys that have all the requirments get harassed about you having a strobe on while backing into a road and a bit of slush on your plate.

all I can say is:headwall :headwall

[thannigan]

Hey-
I even got a strobe on my tractor in the grille,
I forget how to post pictures, but if you could remind me I will post them. Or you can go to my homepage and click under tractors to see the pics
TIM

[CPSS]

Remember, in NY we can't run clear strobes. Flashing, rotating, red or white lights are reserved for authorized emergency vehicles.

[4evergreenlawns]

Seem like that alone is a loop hole. What about factory OEM rear red flashing turn signal indicators?? HHHMMM.

After being a Police Officer for 5 years this is all I can offer. When the general public complains loud enough that a Chief or any Senior Person gets involed the order will be given to "Make some stops, even if you give a few Warning tickets, Mrs. Smith is squaking about them plow trucks again".

When that happens not only does the remaning members of the general public end up getting an ear full but in MOST cases the Police Officers are not hapyy either.

I worked Traffic Enforcement for over 3 years, and when is was bad weather due to snow and ice conditions I was not messing with no one about no silly lights, permits, back up alarms waking residents up at 3AM during a blizzard, or stoping the guy next dor from running his snow blower at 4AM so he could go to work, or whatever.

I was more concerned about being moving on the roads looking for accidents, stuck vehicles which cause more accidents, and given the street deparment updates on what roads looked good and which needed more plowing or heavier salting. I have closed many a 4 lane raodways until conditions were safe for travel. I have even asked more than one private plow operator to clear a section of raodway and than given them a claim form verifing time.

Lets face it there is alot more most all situations than we will ever know at face value.

[snonut12]

CPSS is correct, in NYS you cannot use any flashing or rotating clear or red lights since it is solely for authorized emergency vehicles. However, there is a small "loophole" about the using of flashing red lights. As we know, all vehicles are allowed to have rear red hazard flashers. But the only legal way to use them is to have them flash stimulatenously, not "wig wag." I still personally would not put or use "auxiliary" rear red flashing lights when plowing because it seems that it may sometime confuse people and make them think you are engaged in an emergency situation. If that cause an accident, it could be possible that you could be liable.

I have heard of a few studying done by DOT and public safety, and they came to conclusion that amber is the best light to use for warning the public. I would have to say that I absolutely agree with them. The color of amber is more effective and get more attention but is not as distracting or eyesoring as other colored lights are.

It also should be fine to run amber lights while you are travelling on the road with the plow on as long as you are "on the job". Town, County and DOT trucks always have their amber lights running on the road even if they are not plowing or salting at all, they are just monitoring the road or going to their destination(s). The last thing they want to see is a car getting clipped off their plow.

[ratlover]

clear flashing is illegal in IL unless your a emergency vehical as far as I know. I dont think anyone will bust my chops for having a clear strobe in my light bar though(just one clear facing front back, the rest amber)

I will run mine when I'm on the road only if I feel the need when I got my plow on(like a narrow road or the like) But its always going once i hit the lot enterence untill I leave. That would suck to have the local fuzz trying to bust people for trying to be safe :headwall

[4evergreenlawns]

IL -- No rules againt flashing white in any direction. Amber in any direction is fine too. Red Flashing to the rear is fine anywhere expect on the light bar. PRIVATE PROPERTY anything goes.

If any flashing light on a truck is confussing to anyone on the road or in a parking lot, even in NY, they should not be DRIVING.

If you do not have WARNING lights they will can sue you for that, if you have a warning light and that causes an accident that can sue you for that, if you yell real loud and cause someone to have a heart attack they can sue you for that too. What about sign on salt trucks how far back should you warn people to stay?

Maybe we should attached this to the "guns for safety" in the truck thread maybe that would be better that a few flashing lights.

I am starting to remember why I left NY in 1983 and have NEVER returned to the North East, besides the fact that the satin, white she devil, also known as the Ex-wife who at last report resides in a cave in NH.

[Lawn Lad]

Getting harassed by a cop for silly or relatively petty things is foolish. It makes for bad relationships with officers of the law. Some young cops are out to prove themselves. Saving the world one plow truck at a time. What a waste of time. It ticks me off.

As pissed as I get at the cops who enforce the laws (their job), I'm pissed at our elected officials for passing so many damn laws. No matter what you do you're constantly in violation of one law or another in some form or fashion. The politicians ideas of being tough on crime is to pass new and often redundant laws. Obviously the cops have prosecutorial discretion out on the road. But if they've got a bad attitude they can find something to get you on. Even if it is bogus, you still have to waste your time fighting it. So it winds up costing you time away from work to defend your actions because a cop on the street wants to remind you that he has the law on his side, right or wrong.

Generally I've had good experiences with the men in blue. But it's those few instances that stick out in my mind that rub me the wrong way.

[76chevyman]

As for the goverment passing all the laws you can thank the democrates (liberals) for that. LOL. A cop tried to pull me over in a storm. And it was on a long incline I new my plate was covered with snow and my amber lights were on. I just gave the truck a little gas and pulled away. That was the end of that.
I can see a cop pulling over a plow truck if he is being unsafe, Leaving snow in the road ways backing out in traffic with out looking running with a light out ( i check all my lights to make ure they are working). We also have to have a permit to run amber lights on road ways its only $7.00 But they doent enforce it.
When i plowed commercialy in N.Y. I never ran my ambers in the roads only when on site and every time a cop showed up and said to shut the light off neigbors called and complained about them. So i gave up those accounts this years and im staying in Ct
Rich:burnout

[4evergreenlawns]

Well there you have it, the cop only came out after someone called to complain.

As for driving away in the snow even after you knew he was attempting to stop you, that is FALT OUT DUMB. Wonder if you would have liked it if he/she just drove pass and ignored you if you wre along side the road in need of help. After all you just ignored him/her as if they did not exist.

That usually went from a warning ticket to at least two tickets from me. One for the violation causing the stop, one for failing to yeild/curb for an emegency vehicle. Than if you happen to tell me that you DID see me and just kept driving that might have lead to an arrest for fleeing and eluding which is a Class A Misd. leaving you plow truck in the impound. So I am guessing that little trick ends up costing you about 600 maybe 700 bucks plus lost time plowing. Oh, did I mention I worked traffic and drove a 4X4 full size Tahoe so I would be able to get around during bad weather. Had you sped up when I was attempting to stop you I just would have still been in your mirror while the in car camera was rolling your attempt to elude.

Sorry, just started having an out of body experience and was watching my fingers type all of this.

Funny how this thread start out mentioning the COP as A RETARD.

[BWhite]

Originally posted by 4evergreenlawns
[
I am starting to remember why I left NY in 1983 and have NEVER returned to the North East, besides the fact that the satin, white she devil, also known as the Ex-wife who at last report resides in a cave in NH. [/B]

You dont like the little piddly northeast rules and regs except you sure do love GPS

[76chevyman]

leaving the cop that was in Ct. And it was out on the Cb that cops were writting tickets for ever plow truck seen. As for the amber light. ON WHILE PLOWING A PARKING GARAGE and the cop stops and gives me a ticket. I think that is real stuped. I admit my fault for leaving the cop. (A deiffernt event) and if he happen to stop me then i would pay for my actions i have no problem with that. But as for the light on while in a lot. And just to let you Know it was a hospital in New York that i plowed. and all entrances where blocked off with cones and the cop moved them and came in and wrote me a ticket for the light. And there is stil employee cars still in the garage that come out of no were so i like to have the light. And there is always someone in the booth to move the cones for them to get out. AM i at fault for running a amber light???? I know i was for leaving the cop. but not the light.


Rich:burnout

[4evergreenlawns]

Seems like my words are getting somewhat twisted. Giving what I have posted in its totality and not just a quote taken out of context.

I think if you chose to counduct business than you must be willing to conform to the rules and regs that apply where you have chosen to conduct business.

My metioning of leaving and not returning to the Northeast was more in line with my views of the GPS issue and the PEOPLE of the Northeast finding something or anything they can wrong with whatever they can and than resorting to filing a law suite when they think they can make some coin off of someone else. Or how they start to complain about new rules/regs (GPS in MASS) when they do not like it but did not mind operating when it was in their favor.

Based on that I have chosen NOT to return to the land of the people that seem to be more content with complaining about everything and twisting each and every situation to meet there needs in lieu of trying to get along and working within the rules and regs. Not to mention the high cost of living, taxes, and such.

I am sorry that it did take thousands and thousands deaths and two huge buildings falling down for people to work togather. However, I wonder if I was walking on the street in NYC, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, and asked for some help how many people would be incline? I find the people in the Midwest a bit more approachable and helpful.

The post by 76Chevy is the perfect example, he writes

"A cop tried to pull me over in a storm. And it was on a long incline I new my plate was covered with snow and my amber lights were on. I just gave the truck a little gas and pulled away. That was the end of that. "

and than

"I can see a cop pulling over a plow truck if he is being unsafe, Leaving snow in the road ways backing out in traffic with out looking running with a light out"

This sure does seem like the mentioned GPS issue. I want to plow and salt for MASS but ONLY if I can do it on my terms. If I have to use GPS than that is an unfair demand and than MASS should be consider my employer for asking me to use GPS.

Once again I find myself reffering to the title of this thread citing "RETARD COP"

But thanks for quoting me, it is nice to see someone reads what I type.

[76chevyman]

thats great that you used me as a example and it is a good on but at lease included My last post when I DO AGREE With you. BUT NOT AS For THE AMBER LIghts. and that it was blasterd all over the CB that cops were after any plow person. Cops arent retarded ive helped cops in the pass and cops helped me. But its the young ones that dont know how to use there power that give out the retard cop name. I try to respect cops to the fullest. But when i hear there out busting chops and ive seen nothing wrong in my plowing, then i say its a young power triped cop. And im sure if the cop really wanted me there always that radio.

My last post

leaving the cop that was in Ct. And it was out on the Cb that cops were writting tickets for ever plow truck seen. As for the amber light. ON WHILE PLOWING A PARKING GARAGE and the cop stops and gives me a ticket. I think that is real stuped. I admit my fault for leaving the cop. (A deiffernt event) and if he happen to stop me then i would pay for my actions i have no problem with that. But as for the light on while in a lot. And just to let you Know it was a hospital in New York that i plowed. and all entrances where blocked off with cones and the cop moved them and came in and wrote me a ticket for the light. And there is stil employee cars still in the garage that come out of no were so i like to have the light. And there is always someone in the booth to move the cones for them to get out. AM i at fault for running a amber light???? I know i was for leaving the cop. but not the light.

Rich
:burnout

[76chevyman]

As for the GPS im totaly for it. If anything i think it can save money knowing your employee is were he should be and that the work is done. And the same goes for the state there truck and there subs. Im sure there a few million lost do to the state being charged for something that wasnt done. SO YES FOR GPS

Rich:burnout

[Got Grass]

Ok first off. Thread title may not have been in the best of taste, but it did get people to read...
I have no problem with LE doing thier job looking out for saftey of it's citizens. I like to feel safe.

But come on now. Some odviously have other intentions.
When I get pulled over in a driveway for having an amber light on & I'm told I am not allowed to use it when I back out into the street near a intersection cars fly arround something is not right.
The entire point of running a light is saftey, to let other know I'm there. That I am in the road moving my plow for the next pass.
He said he even ticked tow trucks while towing. So the possibility of parts coming off a wrecked vehical in the road is not a hazard?
My license plate has road slush on it. I could see if it was covered in snow but slush?

Yet for some reason he didn't say a word about not having my plowing permit for 2004 (I have it just havent mounted it) for the same town in my window. If he was out to get me you would think he would have said something about that.

It just seems as if he isnt all that aware of the laws he is tring to enforce.

I'm starting to think it may have been the same cop who pulled me over in the spring at 3am tring to get me for a DWI & I blew a .01. When he relized I was completely sober he gave me a ticket for not turning my directional on in time. Mind you I was behind a row of buildings and it was impossible for him to see me 1/2 mile down the road. Also threated to ticket me for a dirty lisense plate, when I washed my truck the same evening.
For blocking my rear window with stickers, the "stickers" were my plowing permits (same town) in the lower corner behind my head rest. Tinted windows, my rear window slightly tinted (can be any tint) & side windows are factory tint (odviously legal). Possesion of burglary tools, Had a hammer, screwdriver & a wrench on the floor (helping a friend move). Accused me of throwing trash bags on the road. Burglary, yet had no clue what or where I broke into. Insisted I just dropped off my partner in crime (I was going home from a friends house I was at all night), yet the passanger seat was covered in books, papers, etc... Said I was convicted of fellony burglary in 1996 & did time for it, I've never been convicted, charged or accused before for that or any fellony for that matter.
He actually poked arround in a small bit of top soil that was in the bed & questioned why i had it.

I can see pulling me over if I was all over the road & he thought I was dunk. But not simply because I was the only other car arround, then tring to distract me from that reason by saying all that other BS simply isnt right.


I have no problem with LE & have a couple friends & customers who are. It's just the very few who go beyond "protect & serve" & think thier job is to ticket people for anything they can come up with. They give a bad rap to the entire community & bog down the courts with BS tickets that only get thrown out.
Most simply do their jobs & are quite reasonable & friendly even when they are having a horrible day.

[ih82plow]

What is GPS?

[snonut12]

GPS = Global Positioning System

[ratlover]

Originally posted by Got Grass


I have no problem with LE & have a couple friends & customers who are. It's just the very few who go beyond "protect & serve" & think thier job is to ticket people for anything they can come up with. They give a bad rap to the entire community & bog down the courts with BS tickets that only get thrown out.
Most simply do their jobs & are quite reasonable & friendly even when they are having a horrible day.

forgot the other kind of ticket happy cops.......the ones that are told in no uncertian terms that the village isnt getting enough tickets written :cash. Not always the ones on the front lines.......

And you sure you can have clear/white flashing in IL??? I was pretty sure I read in the vehicular code book that it was illegal

[4evergreenlawns]

Ratlover,

No flashing white headlights.

But there again PRIVATE PROPERTY is free game any color anywhere in the vehilce, as much or many as you want.

[BWhite]

Got Grass ,
Its cops like that that alway will give cops a bad name . Absolute power corrupts absolutely .

[Got Grass]

Depending on the was IL code is worded.
If "Equipping" a vehical with certin lights is illegal, technally even if they are off on the road you can still be ticketed.
Just something to check.

[Earthscapes]

Hey Mike LOL Hahahahahaha...are you sure you weren't doing something illegal ???? LOL

Last nite which would be monday I think (haven't slept in 38 hrs) 6 Amherst Cops had 9 plow trucks pulled over on Main st. near Transit. I pulled up into my lots flipped on the "yellow" light and starting plowing (watching these guys the whole time). They never said boo to me or even pulled into the lot I was in.

I'm still wondering why they never stopped me..... with the front and rear plows on I have NO plates at all. BTW whats a permit ??? Are we required to have them ??
Oh boy it's snowing again,,,, I better try and fall asleep.
Later,
Keith