Ticket for "illegal" side marker

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Nov 9, 2012 | 07:03 AM

sam12345

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From: tx

Ticket for "illegal" side marker

Just got a ticket because my side marker was "illegal" because it does not reflect enough light
these are the side markers that I have

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FAST-SHIP-98...829457&vxp=mtr

Nov 9, 2012 | 07:44 AM

LuxuryGS3

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From: Dallas, Texas

Grab some LED bulbs my man.

Nov 9, 2012 | 07:53 AM

Sonic_RC

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From: BC

I have the same ones. And if I'm not mistaken they are stamped DOT. I would double check but if they are I would dispute the ticket and tell that cop to suck it.

Nov 9, 2012 | 07:54 AM

1UGLYGS

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From: BayArea,CA

Im surprised you got a ticket for that. It seems like the peace officer was looking for an excuse to write you up, because most people i've talked to don't really issue tickets for something like that. You will however (or should) have an issue with safety inspection. The design of the side light is Federal DOT approved with a reflector in it. This is done in case the light bulb blows out and it goes unnoticed for a period of time. During turning movements that you make during the nighttime hours at least someone will be able to see the red and/or amber reflection noticing that you are turning in front of them.

Nov 9, 2012 | 12:35 PM

sam12345

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From: tx

When you cross the border from the USA to Mexico they have a check point on the USA side checking for guns and stolen cars by the border patrol and the police dpt. this cop was looking for expired stickers as we go by. He noticed the side marker. I looked at the eBay site and it says 99% of what they sell is for show cars or off road so if you have one it's not dot approved. It has to have the reflective surface on it

Nov 9, 2012 | 03:50 PM

YxUxMADDDD

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From: TX

+1 on led bulbs and I would say that it's BS for him to pull you over. Imagine all those blacked out tail lights don't even get that much reflections and I don't see them getting tickets.

Nov 9, 2012 | 04:10 PM

GS4_Fiend

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I got the same one with no problems. TX is that strict then CA? wow

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Nov 9, 2012 | 05:43 PM

sam12345

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From: tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS4_Fiend

I got the same one with no problems. TX is that strict then CA? wow

I have had these for over a year and it even passed the yearly inspection but you know how it is with an ahole cop. I read the section that I supposedly violated and it says that when a light is shined on the side marker it needs to reflect enough light to be seen from 100 yards away. In this section they also say that the heat shields you put on your front windshield to keep the sun out of the inside of the car when your car is parked shall not be more than 25% reflective. Since my heat shield is silver (the one sewell Lexus sells) it also violates the law. But I am going to keep using it

Nov 9, 2012 | 05:59 PM

#10

showtymers

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From: ca

the real question here is .. was it on or off?
meaning is it a side marker or used as a turn signal because it is not suppose to do both its either off and and signal or on as a side marker

Nov 9, 2012 | 06:42 PM

#11

sam12345

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From: tx

It needs to reflect light when the car is off and the lights are off

Nov 9, 2012 | 07:04 PM

#12

rogzballz

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From: MA

I smell BS ...

Nov 9, 2012 | 09:03 PM

#13

sam12345

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From: tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogzballz

I smell BS ...

Here is the law

Sec.*547.355.**VISIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. (a) A clearance lamp, identification lamp, or side marker lamp shall be visible and recognizable under normal atmospheric conditions at all distances from 50 to 500 feet from the vehicle on the side, front, or rear where the lamp is mounted.
(b)**A reflector required by this chapter mounted on a vehicle subject to this subchapter shall be visible from the rear, if a rear reflector, or from the applicable side, if a side reflector, at nighttime at all distances from 100 to 600 feet from the vehicle when the reflector is directly in front of:
(1)**lawful lower beams of headlamps; or
(2)**lawful upper beams of headlamps on a vehicle manufactured or assembled before January 1, 1972.