Advice please from the Mud Club boys in blue!!

[chris.hunt22]

I am after a quick bit of advice please from the Mud Clubbers on here who are Police/ex Police by day......

I have got 4 rectangular spot lights on my roof rack (as per a lot of other Landrovers etc.) and have adapted them fitting 5 watt side light bulbs into them for low level illumination, they are wired to the side light circuit so they are on with the side lights and dip beam (I also have 100watt main beam in these spots but they are on an over ride switch so you can disable them when on the road)

I got my inspiration from a lot of trucks I see at night with their spot lights dimmly lit.  I was waiting at a que of traffic today (accident) and when I got up to the Police man directing the traffic he said my lights were illegal (off road use only he said) and he could have my Discovery taken off the road, when I asked why he said the car is showing too much white light at the front (5 watt??), anyway I am not one to argue so took the slap on the wrist and drove on agreeing to fit them to a seperate switch.

Is this correct or am I actually OK to drive round with them on (see picture as to how dim they are!!)

[Wolfie]

I don't wear blue, but as far as I can see they will be fine if they comply with the requirements of The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

They will be optional fromt position lights, so the relevent bits are Regulation 20 and Schedule 2.

[Llanigraham]

And front positional lights have to be fitted at the FRONT..............
not half way along the vehicle!!

I can't find the relevant para, but to be mounted on the roof they also have to be in front of the front axle.

[chris.hunt22]

MMM, that could be the truckers loop hole then....anyone else (I know some VOSA inspectors so might get them to cast their eyes over it next time i'm over their way)

[strapping young lad]

but truckers lights are normally mounted in front of the axle since the axle sits behind the driver's seat

unless you are in one of them scania jobbies

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

I had this discussion the other day with my nephew after we had fitted a light bar to his 90.
A position lamp is according to reg 3 of the  Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989: a lamp used to indicate the presence and width of a vehicle when viewed from the front or the rear.
Does that make sense? :? I personally would not have a problem with that.
The lights on the bar, in theory, should not come on when high beam is switched on as they do not conform with the regulations in relation to 'driving lamps', namely height from the road and distance in from the sides.
Again, does that make sense? :?

My rule of thumb is that if you are using them to annoy other road users, then 'you picked the wrong county to haul ass through, boy! I'm signing you up for a moving traffic violation!', if you get my drift.
Saying that, I was not known for the large amount of traffic 'process' that I put in. In three years I issued one ticket for speeding, that was after I had followed the guy at 95 through a 60. I was in a Plod Defender and he was in a BMW M3. He was most dischuffed :D

[Wolfie]

The lights on the bar, in theory, should not come on when high beam is switched on as they do not conform with the regulations in relation to 'driving lamps', namely height from the road and distance in from the sides.
Again, does that make sense? :?

But looking at Schedule 5 of RVLR there are no positional requrements for Optional main beam lights, down the bottom in Part II. Is there any other legislation that applies?

Not that I can use mine on the road, which is why they are rendered inoperable when on public highways.

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

The lights on the bar, in theory, should not come on when high beam is switched on as they do not conform with the regulations in relation to 'driving lamps', namely height from the road and distance in from the sides.
Again, does that make sense? :?

But looking at Schedule 5 of RVLR there are no positional requrements for Optional main beam lights, down the bottom in Part II. Is there any other legislation that applies?

Not that I can use mine on the road, which is why they are rendered inoperable when on public highways.

You're asking me? Pfft, I just got back from the pub, where I was playing a game of 'catch the coconut'!
Of course there is other legislation, that only the Government knows about. How else do you think they get the money in?
Ooops! Let the secrets out now! Thats it, I'm doomed! The Special Squad will come and get me for re-edumacation, with the cattle prods and the white noise and the tick tock tick tock! It burns and it hurts me!

[chris.hunt22]

even more confused now!!  You couldn't say that my lights are there to annoy as they are only 5 watt side light bulbs (forget about the 100 watt main beams - I know they are illegal on the road hence the override switch), I don't often travel over to Nelson Lancs. (where the incident took place) but knowing my luck the next time I have them on the same Police man will see me again and will do something about it!!  I think the light look really smart and it would be a shame not to beable to use the side light function on them as it took me ages to obtain the bulb holders and retro fit them to the lights!!

[Evilgoat]

I have plans to do this with the spots on the zook using a ballast instead of another set of bulbs. I wouldnt expect trouble but they are mounted on the bullbars.

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

If they show the width of the vehicle, I don't think there would be a problem, but that is me. I'm not a traffic officer, so my knowledge of the resg relating to that sort of stuff isn't top notch.
I got my info from a handy book called  The Traffic Officers Companion, ISBN number 07106 19944.
If you are that concerned, wire them upon a seperate circuit. That is the best bet.

[Boggert]

To be honest I don't know and I also think they are being very pedantic!
As long as you are not using them in a way likely to cause Distress, alarm and annoyance to the public I wouldn't have a problem.

As LSP said put them on a different circuit and all should be fine.

[Range Rover Blues]

AFAIK they are not legal, there should only be 2 marker lights on the front plus the dipped beam.  How all these lorries get away with it I don't know, perhaps being registered abroad.  IIRC the only place they are legal is Germany.  You might find some info on the RING website I think it was in othe instructions for their lamps I last saw it.

[Sider]

AFAIK they are not legal, there should only be 2 marker lights on the front plus the dipped beam.  How all these lorries get away with it I don't know, perhaps being registered abroad.  IIRC the only place they are legal is Germany.  You might find some info on the RING website I think it was in othe instructions for their lamps I last saw it.

Nah, most of them are actually british. I guess they just don't give a cahoot, and risk it.

[jjsaul]

i was thinking about fitting some similar dim lamps myself...i also think they look really good.

will have to do a bit of research now!

only time i ever got warned by cops about lamps on the car - i had a pair of 'angel eye' driving lamps on my bullbars and the angel eye bits were blue...he said white would have been fine but blue was pushing my luck.

[Dirty Gertie]

As long as you are not using them in a way likely to cause Distress, alarm and annoyance to the public I wouldn't have a problem.

SHEESH!! So when are the B.I.B. going to start hauling in all the muppets who seem to think foglights are for everyday usage? The intensity of those damn things REALLY give my eyes problems and I REALLY wish they'd clamp down on the t**ts who insist on using them cos they seem to think they 'look good'  

[Range Rover Blues]

Agreed.

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

As long as you are not using them in a way likely to cause Distress, alarm and annoyance to the public I wouldn't have a problem.

SHEESH!! So when are the B.I.B. going to start hauling in all the muppets who seem to think foglights are for everyday usage? The intensity of those damn things REALLY give my eyes problems and I REALLY wish they'd clamp down on the t**ts who insist on using them cos they seem to think they 'look good'  

I do :twisted: They don't like it up 'em!

"Wot u mean u iz givin' me a ticket for dem lites bein' on? Dey is drivin' lights!"
"Which means, numbnuts, that driving lights come on when the main beam is switched on. I suggest you go home, learn to read, and then struggle through the owners handbook for your tarted up piece of cack and find the section on FOG LIGHTS!"

Yet another lesson from the George Bush school for Tact and Diplomacy.

[TDi90]

it annoys me so much so that if i were a boy in blue, i would mae the ticket and extra tenner on top for a couple of pints when i finished my shift  8)

I HATE CHAVS  

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

it annoys me so much so that if i were a boy in blue, i would mae the ticket and extra tenner on top for a couple of pints when i finished my shift  8)

Outrageous thoughts! We are not in Italy!

[Highlander1]

Keep em on matey

Be safe be seen there small wats not like the fog light prats who blind everyone for the sake of looking stupid.

Yer not dazzling anyone and if you get stopped it would be a sad sad jobs worth who would give a toss.

They look good and I think trucks need as much lighting as possible.

PS the trucks roof lights on main beam are so that we can dip before blinding the driver being as they sit higher up. coming over the brow of a hill they see our mains before wee see theirs.


So long as its white to front and red to the back if they can tell whch way your coming that's what counts.


that's my personal opinion.

Cheers H1

[J.D.]

it annoys me so much so that if i were a boy in blue, i would mae the ticket and extra tenner on top for a couple of pints when i finished my shift  8)

I HATE CHAVS  

Personally when someone comes towards me with their fog lights on, (I know technically not legal), but flicking on my own full beam (2 x headlights, 2 x 8" spotlights on front bumper, 4 x 4" spotlights on roof) and watch as its their turn to screw their eyes up!

[Boggert]

it annoys me so much so that if i were a boy in blue, i would mae the ticket and extra tenner on top for a couple of pints when i finished my shift  8)

I HATE CHAVS  

Personally when someone comes towards me with their fog lights on, (I know technically not legal), but flicking on my own full beam (2 x headlights, 2 x 8" spotlights on front bumper, 4 x 4" spotlights on roof) and watch as its their turn to screw their eyes up!

Crikey... you would roast their car with that set up... ever peeled anyone's paint off... :lol:  :lol:

[chris.hunt22]

This is why I enjoy Mud Club, I haven't really had my question answered but I have got 2 pages of really good reading (no I am not being sarcastic!)  I think I will put them on the full beam override switch to be safe but if |I get pulled I can say ' must have knocked the switch with my knee officer, sorry!!'

I will have to get a petition going to get Boggert and Lord Shag Pile to transfer to Lancashire police, at least they appreciate off roaders unlike my local bobbies, we seem to becoming as big a Police target as chavvy boy racers

I am still going to seek advice off some lads at VOSA I know, I may even beable to get them to type something up to keep in my glove box if they agree with me!

Anyone else with any other info or heckle etc. .....keep posting!!

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

This is why I enjoy Mud Club, I haven't really had my question answered but I have got 2 pages of really good reading (no I am not being sarcastic!)  I think I will put them on the full beam override switch to be safe but if |I get pulled I can say ' must have knocked the switch with my knee officer, sorry!!'

I will have to get a petition going to get Boggert and Lord Shag Pile to transfer to Lancashire police, at least they appreciate off roaders unlike my local bobbies, we seem to becoming as big a Police target as chavvy boy racers

I am still going to seek advice off some lads at VOSA I know, I may even beable to get them to type something up to keep in my glove box if they agree with me!


Anyone else with any other info or heckle etc. .....keep posting!!

Hmm, Lancashire. Sounds interesting. Unfortunately I have done my transfer now. I now fall into the 'too long in the tooth, becomes a liability, might corrupt our new officers' category.
A friend of mine used to work on the principle of 'everything was legal, until you get caught'. It was not something that I necessarily agreed with though

[richo]

I had this discussion the other day with my nephew after we had fitted a light bar to his 90.
A position lamp is according to reg 3 of the  Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989: a lamp used to indicate the presence and width of a vehicle when viewed from the front or the rear.
Does that make sense? :? I personally would not have a problem with that.
The lights on the bar, in theory, should not come on when high beam is switched on as they do not conform with the regulations in relation to 'driving lamps', namely height from the road and distance in from the sides.
Again, does that make sense? :?

My rule of thumb is that if you are using them to annoy other road users, then 'you picked the wrong county to haul ass through, boy! I'm signing


you up for a moving traffic violation!', if you get my drift.





YOU HAVE SEEN HOT FUZZ THEN ,YOUR PICTURE.
Saying that, I was not known for the large amount of traffic 'process' that I put in. In three years I issued one ticket for speeding, that was after I had followed the guy at 95 through a 60. I was in a Plod Defender and he was in a BMW M3. He was most dischuffed :D