White strobe lamps in front grill?

Frozen_up_north

I’ve just seen a hearse with a pair of white strobe lamps being driven along a road... I can’t find anything in regulations covering such use, but it’s confusing to road users and probably not legal.

Any ideas?

liviboy

As far as I know these are illegal.

Any warning beacon should be amber in colour and fitted to an authorised vehicle. Beacons of other colours can be used in specific circumstances (e.g. emergency vehicle, doctor's car, etc.).

I do know a number of people who have strobe-bars fitted to their vehicles emitting white (almost blue...but we won't go there) light. They say that it's legal but I'm not convinced and can't see any legislation which suggests it is...but can read plenty suggesting it's not.

Jackmydad

This is the relevant law (I think?)
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regulation/13/made

cb1979

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

I’ve just seen a hearse with a pair of white strobe lamps being driven along a road... I can’t find anything in regulations covering such use, but it’s confusing to road users and probably not legal.

Any ideas?

Seems to be legal for Cyclists to have flashing white lights judging by the number in use

System

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

I!!!8217;ve just seen a hearse with a pair of white strobe lamps being driven along a road... I can!!!8217;t find anything in regulations covering such use, but it!!!8217;s confusing to road users and probably not legal.

Any ideas?

Illegal. Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 Regulation 13:

13.(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which automatically emits a flashing light.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of!!!8211;

(a)a direction indicator;
(b)a headlamp fitted to an emergency vehicle;
(c)a warning beacon or special warning lamp;
(d)a lamp or illuminated sign fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;
(e)a green warning lamp used as an anti-lock brake indicator; or
(f)lamps forming part of a traffic sign.

By special warning lamps they mean ones like are affixed to marker boards on abnormal loads.

bertiewhite

I have noticed an increasing number of "light bars" fitted to bonnets of, let's say "older, less aesthetic" cars of late, usually driven by young lads screaming up and down the high street late at night. I really can't imagine that they need them for legitimate purposes.

Frozen_up_north

Thanks for the interesting info, I guess it’s in the same time category as the clowns with blue tinted lights, etc.

It was very obvious and distracting. I’m sure the traffic police will pick up on it and have words.

oldhand

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

Thanks for the interesting info, I guess it’s in the same time category as the clowns with blue tinted lights, etc.

It was very obvious and distracting. I’m sure the traffic police will pick up on it and have words.

As long as the "customer" in the back raises no complaints..

RichardD1970

cb1979 wrote: »

Seems to be legal for Cyclists to have flashing white lights judging by the number in use

Yep, law was changed a few years ago.

The best advice I have read was to have 1 flashing and 1 static.

Ectophile

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Yep, law was changed a few years ago.

The best advice I have read was to have 1 flashing and 1 static.

A few cyclists seem to have only a horribly bright strobe light. I find visually tracking just a strobe light much harder than a steady one, or a combination of steady & flashing lights. It's just a horrid distracting flashy thing.

mchale

Ectophile wrote: »

It's just a horrid distracting flashy thing.

So it does the job it was designed for: you notice the cyclist.