PAINTED TAIL LIGHTS

[SPORTCRAZIE]

All right just have to vent... I got pulled over last night by the local P.D because they probably had nothing better to do and the donut shop was closed. They told me my painted tail lights are illegal. WTF!!! The new trail blazers come with there tail lights smoked what gives.

Well the cop told me it's because my lights didn't come like that I changed them so that's what all the fuss was about. I didn't get a ticket because I dropped some names...But still really don't they have anything better to do. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[jimbo74]

its common, either deal with it, or toss stock lights on... you cant argue with the law and win (well, in some cases you can, but the law normally wins)

 

[Alec]

If you can prove that your lights have the visibility required by law you can win. In TX it's anywhere from 50-500 feet depending on lamp type and road conditions.

Check your laws and if you feel like fighting see if your smoked tails conform.

And I second the fact that you can't be mad for law problems from tampered safety equipment.

 

[SPORTCRAZIE]

:fire: You know what pisses me off, Is the trail blazers come like that, So just because mine didn't and I made mine like that gives the cops a reason to give me a hard time... I just don't understand the difference.

Bottom line is the more you do to your truck or car, The more it stands out, The nicer it looks, The more they break your Balls. New york is pretty tuff if you like aftermarket stuff... I mean look in the city you can't even have a license plat frame, What gives there the dealers put them on!!!!

 

[Indifference126]

hrm i have the exact same ex as yours and i have smoked tails as well... had em for like 2 months and havent had any trouble for em


sucks man sorry it happened to you =/

 

[Alec]

Because even if they looked smoked, they must conform to safety regulations.

Like I said, you can fight it if yours are still legally visible. The burden is on you to prove that they are legal though. All a Chevy driver has to say is, "They came like that."

If you can't understand that the police have to watch out for modified safety equipment then you shouldn't be driving.

 

[Hartman]

The Trailblazer tails are have a very light smoke to them. If the DOT had a problem with them, they would not have passed them. I'm assuming yours are much darker.

 

[SPORTCRAZIE]

"If you can't understand that the police have to watch out for modified safety equipment then you shouldn't be driving".

Alec... As far as understanding, I don't understand all laws, As far as driving well I think driving has alot more to do with just the understanding of "modified saftey equipment" But never the less I understand your point and respect your opinon. I just think some laws are a little out there...My sister got a ticket for a front dealer plate frame that blocked a little bit of the words New York, Silly I think so

 

[Alec]

Yes, that is silly.

 

[X~FACTOR]

You know what your problem is- you live in New York. The mayor, Bloomberg, is putting pressure on all cops to meet their Quota. They will ticket you for every little thing.

I heard on the radio, they gave a PREGNANT woman a ticket for sitting on the subway steps. The woman was taking a breather between flight of steps! C'mon Bloomberg this is BullSh!t !!!

 

[5.0Dad]

Hartman nailed it. If the stock Trailblazer has 'em, then they have a DOT stamp and there's no argument. It sucks but that's the way it goes and why it matter who we put in office. Not so much for the main guy in charge but for who is appointed to run the administrative offices.

Besides, a Trailblazer has a bowtie on it but I'm not putting one of those on the X.

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

now what about the tail light shades and head light shades....(black outs), i have them on my other car...no trouble for me...but...i would think the cops would go after those than smoked!

 

[Alec]

Originally posted by BIG COUNTRY
now what about the tail light shades and head light shades....(black outs), i have them on my other car...no trouble for me...but...i would think the cops would go after those than smoked!

In some states they're just illegal at night and in foul weather. In some they're illegal 100%.

Like I've said before: I think any mod that makes your lights (especially brakelights) less visible is a very bad idea.

 

[jimbo74]

by having smoked or covered up tail lights could actually leave you at fualt if in an accident... you could be responsible for damaging the drivers car that rearended you... becuase you modified the safety device that would have otherwise alerted them of your prescence... laws are there to protect us and others... do i wholeheartedly agree with all of them, NO! but i understand that they are there for my safety...... If you dont agree with them, then drive like an idiot, kill someone, then you will recognize why they are there.. learning a lesson the hard way sucks, but some people really need a reality check!

 

[Hartman]

And for safety you cut your roof off.

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by Hartman
And for safety you cut your roof off.

i didnt do it for safety, i did it becuase it was smashed in and otherwise unuseable..... anyways, cutting the roof off was fully legal, i checked..... although some of the structural integrity of the body was compromised by doing so, the frame members were not... and according to CHP it is not modified enough to be a kit car or require a special inspection it also still has all the required safety equipment such as functioning lights and seatbelts designed for an explorer......

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

there is a guy here that has a truck and he cut his roof off along with his rear window...so all it is a body with a windshield...hehehe, so i am guessing that is legal cuz here on base he hasnt got in trouble yet...
also, you say safety....how about this, ITS ALASKA!!! it freaking snows 8 months out of the year, " nope im not gonna roll, hehehe."
I think convertibles should be illegal in alaska, cuz every year i see so many on their backs or side...its crazy here, i swear the month of snow here, i will guarantee that you will see a car on its back or side about 2 times a week

 

[99exEB1]

I know this is a little bit off topic, but I got to thinking, and Jim said that if you were rearended with smoked taillights, it hinders the vistibility, and you can be responsible. Could they say anything about tail-light guards hindering the visibility of the lights??

 

[X~FACTOR]

If you lived in NY it would be.

 

[X24]

I live in NY and I have never been pulled over for mods... and I think we all know that I have quite a few including a loud exhaust and tints. The way I see it is cops won't bug you if you arent being an ass. I'm not saying that any of you guys that got pulled over were driving like an ass, but cops arent stupid. If they see you goofing off one time and you have a vehicle that stands out, they will remember it. They might not get you that time, but if they see you again they might. Or maybe even if you arent doing anything wrong when they see you again they will still pull you over to bust you for tints or lights or exhaust. Again... I'm not saying that any of you brought it on yourselves.

I have a very high respect for authority. There are many laws that I dont understand but the truth is you have to obey them. Just because you think its a stupid law or you dont understand it doesnt mean you dont have to obey it. Your only other option is to pay fines... or worse.