Custom 3rd brake light..legal?

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:14 pm

I picked up this little LED scanner, think they use it on the dash for an alarm... opened up my third brake light and mounted it inside, disconnecting the bulb...

here's a youtube video, not very good or long, but i think u get the idea...just makes kinda random patterns and eventually repeats

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RrFGBibq4AQ

have never been pulled over for it...had a cop behind me in daytime, but never at night... anything wrong with this?...it only comes on when I push the brakes...

I saw something advertised at a local auto parts store... a liscence plate frame with a LED moving message u could program in so it said different things... seems like that would be more illegal than mine...that thing would be on the whole time the lights are on...

SlvrACR · Post by **SlvrACR** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:26 pm

I would say its illegal because its a distraction to other drivers. Atleast in MI I know they would get you for it

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:59 pm

well like I said... and since yer from Roseville, not too far away, these things should make sense...
1. Had a cop right behind me at a stoplight and he didn't do anything..guess he didn't get distracted.
2. That license plate frame was just in a sale paper from Murrays Auto, and as far as I know, anyone could buy and mount up with a worded message scrolling under the plate anytime the lights are on...distracting!
3. Garbage trucks and mail trucks have these LED flashing lights in patterns that are going as they drive down main roads, not picking up trash or delivering mail... those are distracting too, and niether of those is an emergency type vehicle.

SlvrACR · Post by **SlvrACR** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:16 pm

#1 That license plate frame is illegal just like neon plate frames. Just cause they sell it doesnt me it for on road use. Thats why its states off-road use only.
#2 Mail trucks and garbage trucks have them to keep them self safe because of frequent stops. You can argue all you want with the cops but basically drive it and you can either get lucky and not get a ticket or you can goto court and they end up giving you a impeding traffic ticket. Either way to me that light isnt worth the $105 ticket. I learned the hard way with A/M lights

KrackstaR · Post by **KrackstaR** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:29 pm

^ yea he's right thats just like trucks can have the back window as dark as they want but cars have to be a certian precentage.

Either way it looks kewl tho..

rice_eater · Post by **rice_eater** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:19 pm

Pablodragon wrote: 1. Had a cop right behind me at a stoplight and he didn't do anything..guess he didn't get distracted.

lots of times cops just turn a blind eye... as long as you're not being obnoxious on the roads or acting dumb, cops are way too busy to bust people for small shit... i have tint on all 5 windows and have driven by cops many times, or sat at teh lights next to cops, and havent had an issue yet...

same with exhausts... modified exhaust outlets are illegal pretty much everywhere, but you hardly hear of people getting busted, unless they have really annoying bee buzzers, or are just screwing around on the roads... all my cars have large loud exhausts, and i had my share of tickets, but not once have i gotten hassle for small things...

as long as you dont give cops a more serious reason to stop you, 99% of them wont be bothered to care... if you get busted, just make up an excuse as to why you have it "temporarily" rigged like that, and chances are you'll get off with a warning even if they do give you hassle

03sxt · Post by **03sxt** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:44 pm

That's a lot less distracting than the legal strobing brake lights on motorcycles - or the flashing high beam modules for their headlights. Those are horribly distracting, if you ask me and they use them to 'ensure their safety.'

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:10 pm

Thanx for all the input.

One more thing to bring up... and that is (or was) the old 1968 or 70 Mecury Cougar tailights the would blink senquentially...pretty much the same thing...and I've now seen they have a kit that replicates that for the newer Mustangs...
..but don't tell me... they were legal back then and now the conversion kit for the Mustangs is supposed to be "not for street use".... right?

SlvrACR · Post by **SlvrACR** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:15 pm

Dude I dont make the laws I just pay the tickets. I think its dumb just like you

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:11 pm

03sxt wrote:That's a lot less distracting than the legal strobing brake lights on motorcycles - or the flashing high beam modules for their headlights. Those are horribly distracting, if you ask me and they use them to 'ensure their safety.'

Their headlights are supposed to flash, damn, I always thought it was something dealing with inconsistant voltage.

03sxt · Post by **03sxt** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:29 am

racer12306 wrote:
03sxt wrote:That's a lot less distracting than the legal strobing brake lights on motorcycles - or the flashing high beam modules for their headlights. Those are horribly distracting, if you ask me and they use them to 'ensure their safety.'
Their headlights are supposed to flash, damn, I always thought it was something dealing with inconsistant voltage.

Yeah, it's an aftermarket add-on for their headlights.