Last night on my way home from a softball game I got pulled over in Portland Maine and given a ticket for "inadequate tail light". Now I had those lense tinting films over the lights some years ago but hated when they would fall off everytime I washed my C5 so I took all 4 assemblys out and used lense tinting spray paint. Now I will not lie. They look very dark at night when I'm not applying the brake. But I've never been harrassed or pulled over for it in the 2 years that its been done.
Before I even tinted them I researched the maine state law. And sure enough it was the same title and section the ticket was written for.

Title 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES HEADING: PL 1993, C. 683, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. B, §5 (AFF)
ChB, §5 (AFF)

§1905. Rear lights
1. Requirement. Except as provided in subsection 3, a motor vehicle with 3 or more wheels or a trailer or semitrailer must have on the rear 2 lights, one on each side of the axis, each capable of displaying a red light visible for a distance of at least 100 feet behind the vehicle.
[ 2005, c. 314, §10 (AMD) .]

100 feet.... thats how I read it. There was no field test done to prove by the officer that they WEREN'T visable at 100 feet. (Especially not with both 2 million candle watt spotlights on my rear end.)

Is this worth fighting?... I mean most laws in other states are 500 or even 1000 feet (texas). Its a pretty grey area. PLUS? I just got the car inspected by a state certified garage not 2 months ago... Any thoughts? Or should I just shut up and pay the $140???

 

No, pay up!

And I would switch back to stock. If someone rear ends you, its going to be your fault. Just imagine some moron texting while driving and hits you in the back. And then says i couldnt see you were braking. Cop gives you ticket and you have to pay for all damages done to moron's car. You then get notification that your insurance premium has increased.... All this while the other driver proceeds to keep texting "where you at?" when driving. LMAO

 

It's not a moving violation in VA. Not sure in your state. If it's not a moving violation - like no front tag - just pay it and move on.

I will tell you, that for all the many things I could be pulled over for, the dark tinted tail lights caused me to be pulled over 3 times. I got warnings each time. I took the tinted covers off and now run a very light tint. Just dark enough to take the hard red out of the lense on bright days. You'd be hard pressed to even tell they are tinted.

 

Darkening the tailights is the dumbest thing in my opinion. Style over your life?

Darwin at work.

 

Pick your fights....and not on this one. As said before, pay up and move on.

 

One could also argue that owning a car that goes as fast as our do, and using that power every now and then is ALSO the dumbest thing... " In my opinion" ofcourse.... style over life ?? seriously? where is Darwin when plenty of innocent people die in say drunk driving accidents.... "in my opinion" that isnt a valid arguement.

 

Look guys... I'm sorry If that sounded defensive. honest. I just wanted opinions if I should fight the ticket or if I can win. Not If what i did to my car is the "dumbest thing"

sorry

 

Don't fight it. Pay it and move on. Judges will always take the word of the LEO to cover the court costs, etc.

After that, it's your decision to keep the tint or remove it. Usually, the judge will require proof that you removed the tint before he/she closes the case and settles the penalty.

Plus, if you look deeper into your state's vehicle codes, most states (I know Florida does) have laws on the books restricting modifications to any type of OEM lighting. The question is whether or not your lighting mods draw attention or scream "aftermarket".

 

I would not fight it

 

Why do this? You want the guy behind you to SEE when your hitting the brakes. Stupid mod.

 

Fight it! You could win and then use the $140 for a fine meal at Five Fifty Five (on Congress St.)

 

I don't agree with tinting the lights,but I disagree more with vague laws.I'd fight it on principal if you can indeed clearly see the running lights and brake lights at 100 feet. You may want to bring video with you. Be advised that the officer may have the incident on dash cam which could help or hurt your case.

 

Great place to eat

 

But were they red?

 

the worst part of this whole thing....? as i was sitting there for 20 min while the officer AND her seargent who showed up were looking up the section in the law book....another Portland police cruiser drove by me with a front headlight burned out....

Irony is i b*tch

 

ofcourse they are red....just not as bright as factory...

 

I only fight moving violations so I don't get points,which in turns raises insurance. I will usually spend the same about of the ticket fighting it. But like I said, my goal is ridding the points. I don't see any benefit fighting that taillight ticket. You'll spend that 140 either way, in court fees and your time.

 

Pay it and live to fight another day. If it were me, I'd remove the tinting because I want my tail lights to be seen.

 

Or maybe a good meal at DiMillo's on Long Wharf.....

I sympathize with the OP, I have tinted lens, but so far, I haven't had any problems with LEOs. It’s up to him to decide if it’s worth a court fight.

 

Well I would guess it falls under officeres descretion then. If it's a non point violation I wouldn't fight it. lawyers will cost more than the ticket.