Blue Lights are Prohibited
Have you gone down the road lately, noticed
blue lights on the hood (maybe around the windshield spray nozzles) of a car
proudly driven around town (perhaps by a youth-aged operator) and wondered
to yourself… “Aren’t those illegal?” Well, if you have, your concern is
not misplaced. In fact blue forward-facing lights ARE illegal under the
“Flashing lights—Forward viewing or rotary beam lights.—“ statute
[31-24-31(b)(3), RIGL]; which, in part, reads…
Forward viewing or rotating
beam lights may be installed on and shall be
restricted to the following
categories of emergency vehicles; these lights shall be of a color
designated: police units, state and local. Center rotating beam
lights: blue or red. Outboard mounted lights: Blue or red.
So, as one can see, the mere installation of these type lights on other than
police vehicles is unlawful under this statute and currently punishable, to
those cited, with a $7500
fine. Therefore, even those
vehicle owners who think they can bypass the law by having such lights
activated by a switch they may turn on, while in a parking lot (competing in
a formal or informal car “show”) and turn off, once back on the public
roadway are mistaken and could be subject to police citation and fines.
As always, we do indeed appreciate any of our web site readers spreading the
word to those who are unfamiliar with this and other laws featured in our
“Did you know?” web page.
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