"how are you logically proposing that a federal body has any governorship over individual state laws?"
^^ This statement right here clearly shows that you don't.

 

Okay, 4 questions here;

1. Are your brake lights more visible with the factory red lenses or with the blackout lenses?

2. Which one is safer, factory or blackout lenses? Please state Why.

3. Do your lights still maintain reflective with the blackout lenses installed?

4. Why would somebody want to put "styling" ahead of safety?

Answer these 4 questions truthfully and maybe I'll see the "wisdom" of installing blackout lenses.

Thanks.

 

You forgot a few of the basics...

5) Never exceed the posted speed limit.

6) Always come to a complete stop at the white line and then advance forward slowly to see into the intersection.

7) Never swim for at least a hour after eating.

8) Use two hands on the steering wheel, at the 10 and 2 positions.

9) Never modify your exhaust system if it exceeds certain decibles.

10) No nobbers while the vehicle is moving.

 

Do this and when your airbag deploys you'll get to enjoy two broken arms. 9 and 3 is the recommended position for vehicles equipped with airbags.

 

Freudian slip, or strangely accurate prediction?

 

it's like a trick, i keep getting sucked back in!

so, all else being constant, does that mean TAIL LIGHT COVERS are illegal? NO.

can we please all agree on this:
tail light covers are LESS safe than oem
tail light covers look pretty cool in many cases
tail light covers are not innately and universally illegal

i agree, tail light covers block some of the light. they are not illegal. they are purely preferential.

sorry, just did not want to leave this thread awkwardly. group hug?

 

There are two separate requirements at play and being discussed here, but BOTH are requirements and applicable:

Requirement for rear reflective materials (their placement, color and minimum number of square inches, etc)

and

Requirements for lighting to be displayed at the rear (as well as color, placement/location, etc)

There is NO requirement for the two to be combined into a single unit, but typically most OE designers do so for styling/aesthetics purposes. Both dbelrman and MSG C5 are correct and ALL vehicle manufacturers must comply - as well as manufacturers of any aftermarket lighting/reflector products, etc - who must also comply.

For those that think the Federal Government has no say as to state laws on these matters, think again. The Federal government, with "DOT" as the specific approving agency, in consultation with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and possibly National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) does have authority by mandating compliance by all states in order to receive their share of Federal Highway tax monies. Furthermore (and equally important) in order to ensure compliance by each state, all states must have passed their own laws requiring adherence to these same Federal DOT safety standards. This explains why, when you read through many of the sections of these state laws, you see multiple references to Federal requirements and standards, etc. with wording indicating mandatory compliance with existing Federal standards/requirements.

In addition to the obvious safety related issue(s), this process provides for uniformity of regulations throughout the country as well. Any and all enforcement for specific violations of these laws by individual motorists, is the pervue of each state, county, or municipality, etc.

These same processes and requirements apply to all other vehicle lighting/reflector matters as well (side, front, etc), not just the rear of vehicles.

HTH

 

Figured you'd puss out and not answer the questions.......

 

So, I bought these really cool break light covers for my Corvette. Bought them from Vetteshop for 79.99. Great price by the way, and the material is top notch. Installed them, and I supplied a couple of pictures to show them off. Really cleans up the back, makes it look pretty slick.

And I haven't had anyone run into the back of me yet!

 

I'm still laughing!

 

The lenses look good on your car.

However, I doubt I will ever put them on my car. I want as much light to be visible as possible for the morons that drive around here.

 

Thank you sir, and well said.

 

Nobody needs to answer your questions.

 

Exactly! The Florida state statute posted earlier is 100% correct. However, it's only the statute about the rear tail lights. There is a separate, second statute regarding the rear reflectors that also needs to be in compliance.

Since the C5 has the reflectors built into the OEM tail lights, that's where the confusion is. You may be able to still see the light from 1000 feet away from behind the lenses, however the reflectors are covered by the lenses regardless of how dark the tint is. Other makes of cars, like the pictured Range Rover, have separate red reflectors built into the rear bumper/fascia so they don't have the same challenge as the C5 where the tail lights and reflectors are integrated.

Both statutes need to be in compliance.