Illegal Headlaps -- WWYD?

[joako]

A little background. In the United States the "DOT" headlamps are the standard and anything else is "illegal," this includes all headlamps which are legal for use in the European Union. Problem is DOT headlamps scatter light everywhere. Right now in my car I do not feel safe driving at night on the expressway because I can barely see more than 20ft ahead of the car without the high beams.

"E-code" headlamps are designed to scatter light on the roadway and are also illegal in all 50 states.

So what would you do if you pulled over someone for any reason and they had properly adjusted E-code headlamps that were not disturbing other drivers? Your state does not perform any sort of vehicle inspections or only emissions inspections lets assume.

Would you give them a ticket for illegal headlamps or commend them for being concerned about their safety or just not even think about it?

[SRT936]

:confused: Umm, not sure where you're getting your information, but they are not necessarily illegal in all 50 states.

From the Wisconsin Vehicle Code:


Trans 305.11 Headlamps. (1) (a) Every motor vehicle
shall be equipped with a headlamp system meeting the specifications
of the headlamp system with which the vehicle was originally
manufactured. Every homemade or reconstructed vehicle
shall be equipped with a headlamp system meeting the specifications
of headlamp systems on vehicles manufactured in the year
in which the homemade or reconstructed vehicle is first registered.
(b) Every headlamp shall be properly aimed so as to conform
with manufacturer’s recommendations and so that glaring light
rays from the headlamp are not directed into the eyes of the driver
of any oncoming vehicle.
(2) (a) The headlamp system on every motor vehicle shall be
maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with
this section and ss. 347.09 and 347.10, Stats.
(b) The headlamp switch, dimmer switch and beam indicator
shall be in proper working condition. All wiring and connections
shall be in good condition.
(3) (a) Every motor vehicle shall have an equal number of
headlamps on each side of the vehicle installed at least 12 inches
from the center of the vehicle and at the height specified in s.
347.09 (2), Stats.
(b) Every headlamp shall be properly installed, adjustable and
securely fastened. The headlamp mounting shall be in good condition.
(c) No headlamp may have any type of cover that in any way
tints the emitted light or reduces the amount of light emitted to
below that required by s. 347.10, Stats. This paragraph applies
only at times when the use of headlights is required.

And its companion statute:

347.10 Headlamp specifications for motor vehicles
other than mopeds and motor bicycles.
(1) Except as provided in sub. (4), the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor
vehicles other than mopeds and motor bicycles shall be so
arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions
of light projected to different elevations. No such lamp shall have
any type of decorative covering that restricts the amount of light
emitted when the lamp is in use. Such lamps may, in addition, be
so arranged that such selection can be made automatically. This
subsection does not apply to any type of decorative covering originally
equipped on the vehicle at the time of manufacture and sale.
(2) Multiple−beam headlamps shall comply with the following
requirements:
(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light or composite
beam so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons
and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead for all conditions
of loading;
(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light or composite
beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and
vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead, and on a straight
level road under any condition of loading none of the high−intensity
portion of the beam shall be so directed as to strike the eyes
of an approaching driver.

So as long as your headlamps met these requirements, they would be legal in my state. As such, there would be no enforcement action to take......

[madchiken]

Right now in my car I do not feel safe driving at night on the expressway because I can barely see more than 20ft ahead of the car without the high beams.


So the lights we all use (including in our emergency vehilces) make you feel unsafe? Just how fast are ya going there?

[CruiserClass]

DOT standard is a federal regulation, so yes they are technically illegal in all 50 states. Feel free to read the federal code here: http://fmvss108.tripod.com/fmvss108text.htm

I enforce state and local laws, not DOT regulations. If your headlights are a safety issue for other motorists, then it will be treated as such. If they don't cause a problem, how am I ever going to know?

That said, I think its BS that you can't use SAE/DOT approved lights to safely drive on the highway. If you can't safely see more than 20 feet your lights are defective and should be repaired or your eyesight is questionable and you should get checked out. There are also legal aftermarket DOT/SAE approved options that are brighter than factory offerings, including both bulbs and lenses. Is it really about safety or is it about having cool European bling-bling?

[SgtScott31]

I normally leave the vehicle modifications to the Highway Patrol folks. In my 15+ years of driving, I have never heard of anyone saying their headlights are too soft. Maybe you have stained lenses or bad bulbs, but standard headlights on every car I have ever seen do the job. It sounds like you're making an excuse just because you want to put more expensive lights on your vehicle.

If they are too bright and/or illegal, then you risk being cited. It is that simple.

[SRT936]

DOT standard is a federal regulation, so yes they are technically illegal in all 50 states. Feel free to read the federal code here: http://fmvss108.tripod.com/fmvss108text.htm

If you read the SAE standard, it merely sets minimum functionality standards of headlamps. FMVSS108 requires that headlamps mounted in a vehicle must at a minimum meet the SAE standard. A headlamp that is certified by the DOT is primae facie evidence of compliance with the SAE standard. If they're not DOT certified, the onus of compliance falls on the owner of the vehicle.

But all of that is moot since the VAST majority of local officers cannot enforce federal regulations.

[leeza]

SRT, do you think I could PM you with a request for some advice (it has nothing to with this thread, I just saw you posted here recently)?

NOTE: I'm not the original poster, but I did not want to start an entirely new thread just to get SRT's attention. If I am to be banned for violation of the posting rules, then I will see your response when I return SRT. Thank you for understanding.

[Fuzz]

A little background. In the United States the "DOT" headlamps are the standard and anything else is "illegal," this includes all headlamps which are legal for use in the European Union. Problem is DOT headlamps scatter light everywhere. Right now in my car I do not feel safe driving at night on the expressway because I can barely see more than 20ft ahead of the car without the high beams.


They seem to work fine for the millions of other motorists out there.....if you do not feel safe with them then you are either driving too fast, your headlamps were faulty or you have a vision problem.

[14298a]

Just a word of caution on "DOT certified", per numerous posts on NHTSA's opinion letters website, US DOT does NOT certify nor approve lighting devices. US DOT sets the standards which all lighting devices must meet (FMVSS 108). The manuafacturers then SELF CERTIFY that their devices meet FMVSS 108 and imprint "DOT" on their products.

Problem is 1) manufacturer's lie. 2) While they may imprint "DOT" and corresponding numbers on their products, they often leave some of these DOT numbers off of their products . So the device may meet some of the specifications but not meet other specifications.

For example, a number of years ago when the 1st generation of aftermarket "euro tail lights" were being produced they all said "DOT Approved". These had clear lenses with white reflectors. Each portion of the tail lens has different numbers designating rear color, side color, rear reflector, side reflector etc. Leaving out one number and saying DOT approved means some parts of the lens did meet FMVSS 108, while some parts of the lens did not. Bottom line is, if the lights don't meet the statutory requriements in your state, they are not legal regardless what the manufacturers say.