blackouts and the police
#1
blackouts and the police
I was told tonight at a car get together that some LEO's do not like the blackouts for the brake lights due to the reduced illumination and will target cars with them. Anyone have that experience?
#2
Le Mans Master
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It's not that LEOs "don't like them" it's the fact they are illegal in some states. If you check the products you will probably see warnings such as: "Daytime Use Only" or "Check Local Laws Before Installation."
#3
Team Owner
that and its a good way to get rear ended.....I had them on my 99 for awhile years ago....while they may look good they really do block a lot of your tail lights during the day
#4
Le Mans Master
First check and see what your state and local traffic laws say. Second as already stated, they do block a lot of the light so in my opinion day or night they could be an issue and actually more in the daytime. At least ay night you can see the slight difference from the normal light illumination from the tail light and the difference when you apply the brakes. Also there is the issue if you are rear ended and the blackouts are illegal the insurance may not cover you, or at least you may be in for a fight with the insurance company.
#5
Drifting
With the number of people texting and talking on cell phones and now staring at GPS screens why in the world would you want to diminish tail/brake light illumination?
#6
Race Director
#7
They don't look right. Simple as that.
It's like deciding you don't like the color of the sky and want to get a set of goggles to make it look red. Waste of time, money, and emotion.
If I was a cop, I'd fit your opening profile.
I dont like them.
I'd stop a car with black outs every chance I had.
.
It's like deciding you don't like the color of the sky and want to get a set of goggles to make it look red. Waste of time, money, and emotion.
If I was a cop, I'd fit your opening profile.
I dont like them.
I'd stop a car with black outs every chance I had.
.
Last edited by AddisonD; 08-25-2013 at 07:28 AM.
#8
Team Owner
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They don't look right. Simple as that.
It's like deciding you don't like the color of the sky and want to get a set of goggles to make it look red. Waste of time, money, and emotion.
If I was a cop, I'd fit your opening profile.
I dont like them.
I'd stop a car with black outs every chance I had.
.
It's like deciding you don't like the color of the sky and want to get a set of goggles to make it look red. Waste of time, money, and emotion.
If I was a cop, I'd fit your opening profile.
I dont like them.
I'd stop a car with black outs every chance I had.
.
Had mine painted for 5 yrs and have only been stopped once. No ticket, he was fishing. 107,000 miles and no close calls at all.
Paint blocks less light than the covers and reflects the correct light as the law requires.
#9
#10
Melting Slicks
[QUOTE=mickey5;1584755006]With the number of people texting and talking on cell phones and now staring at GPS screens why in the world would you want to diminish tail/brake light illumination?[/Q
You do make a good point, and I'm not really a fan of blacked out tail lights.
However you could make a case of why do you tint your windows? wouldn't you want to see as much around you while driving as you possibly can without any obstruction? Just sayin.
You do make a good point, and I'm not really a fan of blacked out tail lights.
However you could make a case of why do you tint your windows? wouldn't you want to see as much around you while driving as you possibly can without any obstruction? Just sayin.
#11
These have since been replaced with the angel eyes LEDs that I also had tinted. Mine are pretty bright even with the tint. I love the way the markers/lights look, especially on the black cars. I've never been pulled over and they were tinted when the car had 23 miles on it. I now have 4200 and have seen a hundred Leo's, none of which have ever made an issue. They do compliment me on the car though when I see them at gas stations,etc.
#12
Instructor
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles California
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Any patrolman who says they weren't nervous as sh*t during their first traffic stop is a liar. The first couple times I pulled someone over, I was probably more nervous than the person I was citing. So yeah, when the entire contents of your glove box falls onto the floor board, you're not entirely sure you have your license with you, or you're almost certain that your car is going to be towed because you were doing more than 25 over, just multiply that by ten and that's about what a rookie police officer feels like.
#13
Tolero Apto Victum
#14
Team Owner
First check and see what your state and local traffic laws say. Second as already stated, they do block a lot of the light so in my opinion day or night they could be an issue and actually more in the daytime. At least ay night you can see the slight difference from the normal light illumination from the tail light and the difference when you apply the brakes. Also there is the issue if you are rear ended and the blackouts are illegal the insurance may not cover you, or at least you may be in for a fight with the insurance company.
#15
Safety Car
If your going to black out your rear lights I highly suggest replacing them with the LED tail lights. They are much brighter and shine thru the tint brighter than stock with no tint. Plus the LEDs will last far longer than a bulb.
#16
Team Owner
[QUOTE=pokerpro;1584755163]
I have a problem with other people's cars that have tinted windows. How many times have you been driving down the street/road and a car with dark driver's windows are waiting to pull out onto the street you are driving on. You can't see the driver to see if he see's you. Many times I have seen a driver not paying attention(with no window tint) and with me being able to see that he is more interested in his phone, etc, then me and he pulls out in front of me, I have taken evasion action to prevent an accident.
With the number of people texting and talking on cell phones and now staring at GPS screens why in the world would you want to diminish tail/brake light illumination?[/Q
You do make a good point, and I'm not really a fan of blacked out tail lights.
However you could make a case of why do you tint your windows? wouldn't you want to see as much around you while driving as you possibly can without any obstruction? Just sayin.
You do make a good point, and I'm not really a fan of blacked out tail lights.
However you could make a case of why do you tint your windows? wouldn't you want to see as much around you while driving as you possibly can without any obstruction? Just sayin.
#17
Drifting
These have since been replaced with the angel eyes LEDs that I also had tinted. Mine are pretty bright even with the tint. I love the way the markers/lights look, especially on the black cars. I've never been pulled over and they were tinted when the car had 23 miles on it. I now have 4200 and have seen a hundred Leo's, none of which have ever made an issue. They do compliment me on the car though when I see them at gas stations,etc.
#19
Le Mans Master
Well meaning folks are always giving insurance advice which is rarely factual. Illegal or not, I have never seen an exclusion in any first party insurance policy, (and I've worked in about 30 states), regarding this subject.
I'd like to see a reputable link to even one case in which an insurance company refused to pay a first party "Collision Loss", because the insured created liability with tail lights that were not as bright as stock lights. Even one case in which the carrier gave the insured a hard time before paying. One link please!
#20
Well meaning folks are always giving insurance advice which is rarely factual. Illegal or not, I have never seen an exclusion in any first party insurance policy, (and I've worked in about 30 states), regarding this subject.
I'd like to see a reputable link to even one case in which an insurance company refused to pay a first party "Collision Loss", because the insured created liability with tail lights that were not as bright as stock lights. Even one case in which the carrier gave the insured a hard time before paying. One link please!
I'd like to see a reputable link to even one case in which an insurance company refused to pay a first party "Collision Loss", because the insured created liability with tail lights that were not as bright as stock lights. Even one case in which the carrier gave the insured a hard time before paying. One link please!
My wife is in insurance also and like she say's, no policy has a stupid clause. As long as someone didn't commit fraud, the insurance company is required to pay.