MassCops - Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network, A Mass Police Web Portal

Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network

Massachusetts Police News, Information and Discussions on MassCops



Pages: 1
Main Page

Directional Lights

(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: shamus

Quick clarification please. I was ask recently if the directional light had to be amber and I could not find any specifics under the Mass Gen Laws that stated the directional light had to be amber. Can it be white? Blue? I looked under C90 s7 and others but it did not specify. Please help.


Posted by: Wolfman

Can't be blue. Not sure about white, if it's original equipment I'd say OK (I think there were a few cars that came with white turn signals but can't think of any specifics right now), if it's aftermarket you would need to check on DOT compliance for the lens / bulbs.


Posted by: mpdcam

As I understood it, the lights had to be either white or amber in the front and red, amber or white in the rear. Either way, that makes green, blue, purple, etc.. lights illegal under 90-7. Those other colors are not DOT approved. Bang them for the def. equip. per light bulb if you really want to stick it to them.


Posted by: shamus

Naturally I would cite under 90/7 but if you see the specific wording could you let me know. It is very vague. I have looked over and over.

Thanks


Posted by: Wolfman

As far as blue or red up front, go with the 90-7e, flashing / rotating / oscillating lights without permit ($300 fine!!!)

As far as DOT compliance, refer to 540CMR4.04(, which requires all lights required by Federal MV standards when vehicle was manufactured nust be in place and operational. This CMR also requires lenses must be in place, clean, and undamaged. ($35)


Posted by: Anonymous

Mass. General Laws state that they must be amber or white/clear.


Posted by: mpdcam

You can't write the $300 for the red/blue lights on the car unless they in some way flash or rotate. Plain red/blue lights that stay on all the time are just defective equipment.


Posted by: Gil

Quote:
Originally posted by mpdcam:
You can't write the $300 for the red/blue lights on the car unless they in some way flash or rotate. Plain red/blue lights that stay on all the time are just defective equipment.
<font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">ok might be stretching it but what if they have their directional on?


Posted by: Wolfman

Quote:
Originally posted by mpdcam:
You can't write the $300 for the red/blue lights on the car unless they in some way flash or rotate. Plain red/blue lights that stay on all the time are just defective equipment.
<font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The original post did specify directional signals. As a police officer, you have the right to inspect the lighting equipment of any motor vehicle for proper operation. Assuming the directional signals function properly, these lights will flash when the directional or 4-way flashers are activated. You now have verified the presence of a flashing red/blue light mounted in the vehicle. 90-7E, $300, be sure you get your copy in the mail within 20 days with either a payment or a request for a hearing and drive safely, thank you.

Steady burning lights such as the "windshield washer" lights could be considered to be noncompliant aftermarket lighting, 540 CMR §22.07. First offense $35, secon $75, third $150.

Regarding "defective equipment" - IMHO too many officers use this as a "catch all" without considering the ramifications should they be challenged in court on its use. Be careful how you write it up - just because you have a 90-7 violation, it may not be just "Defective Equipment" According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
DEFECTIVE
Main Entry: 1de·fec·tive
Pronunciation: di-'fek-tiv
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 a : imperfect in form or function : FAULTY (a defective pane of glass) b : falling below the norm in structure or in mental or physical function (defective eyesight)

Get the right (or wrong) judge, and they will call you on the carpet regarding just what is defective - if a bulb is strictly red or blue, how does that constitute being defective? It isn't broken or failing to illuminate when activated. It FUNCTIONS properly and illuminates when activated. It's just the wrong color, which essentially makes it improper, but not necessarily defective. More appropriate would be to cite under Chapter 90, section 9 ($100 first offense, $1000 subsequent offense, a little more bang for their buck) for "improper equipment":
Quote:
Chapter 90: Section 9. Operation of unregistered or improperly equipped motor vehicles, tractors, trailers, etc.

Section 9. No person shall operate, push, draw or tow any motor vehicle or trailer, and the owner or custodian of such a vehicle shall not permit the same to be operated, pushed, drawn or towed upon or to remain upon any way except as authorized by section three, unless such vehicle is registered in accordance with this chapter and carries its register number displayed as provided in section six, and, in the case of a motor vehicle, is equipped as provided in section seven.
<font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The same goes with motorists who flash their lights on and off for whatever reason (we all know why, though ). Are their headlights defective or are they being activated in an improper manner? This is addressed as well in Chapter 90, Section 7:
Quote:
No motor vehicle so operated shall mount or display a flashing, rotating or oscillating light in any direction except pursuant to section seven E of this chapter; provided, however, that this shall not apply to the use of rear directional signals nor to the proper use of vehicle hazard warning signals as provided for by this section.
<font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">This section does not specify color or that a flashing light need be mechanically activated. Thus manually flashing the headlights on and off is the display of a flashing light forward. You can consider it a violation of 90-7 as well as 90-9(see above), AND 540 CMR §22.05(5), Alternating Flashing Headlights. 540 CMR 22.05(5) only specifies on-off, not left-right, so it isn't limited to just wigwag type of flashing headlights.

Whew. Class dismissed. Be sure to let me know how far I stuck my foot in my mouth this time.


Posted by: shamus

Thank you for the very detailed information regarding the lights. Good point with citing something like neons under 90/7. So I would be in the clear citing aftermarket lights such as neons under 90/9 Improperly equipped M/V?


Posted by:

Can someone tell me the law regarding the use of turn signals? (Failure to do so) and the fines along with it. I've noticed that many drivers today fail to give the common courtesy to other drivers; to include police vehicles on patrol.

I would be impressed if someone was using their signals regardless of color. However, I understand the law is law. Thanks.


Posted by: tomahawk

What's a turn signal? [img]graemlins/z-shhhh.gif[/img]

-Mike

Chapter 90: Section 14B. Uniform stopping and turning signals on ways.

Section 14B. Every person operating a motor vehicle, before stopping said vehicle or making any turning movement which would affect the operation of any other vehicle, shall give a plainly visible signal by activating the brake lights or directional lights or signal as provided on said vehicle; and in the event electrical or mechanical signals are not operating or not provided on the vehicle, a plainly visible signal by means of the hand and arm shall be made. Hand and arm signals shall be made as follows:-

1. An intention to turn to the left shall be indicated by hand and arm extended horizontally.

2. An intention to turn to the right shall be indicated by hand and arm extended upward.

3. An intention to stop or decrease speed shall be indicated by hand and arm extended downward.

Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars for each offense.


Posted by: PATS246

Off topic: I stopped a kid last night followed him around a neighborhood as he did the loop d loop around the neighborhood. All turn signals, speed limit whole nine yards.... But too bad for him his muffler appeared to be defective and I stopped him, didnt come up with anything. Just some high school wise asses driving around. Wanting to play games w/ me b/c I was follwing them. So I wrote him for his 90/20 and 90/7.... the kid had the nerve to tell me that I failed to use my directionals while I was following him... I suggested to him in a polite manner that he should do a little more research on the laws. Just sharing another wonderful encounter with a citizen of the commonwealth.


Posted by: Gil

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomahawk
What's a turn signal? &lt;img border="0" alt="[Shhhh!]" title="" src="graemlins/z-shhhh.gif" />

-Mike

Chapter 90: Section 14B. Uniform stopping and turning signals on ways.

Section 14B. Every person operating a motor vehicle, before stopping said vehicle or making any turning movement which would affect the operation of any other vehicle, shall give a plainly visible signal by activating the brake lights or directional lights or signal as provided on said vehicle; and in the event electrical or mechanical signals are not operating or not provided on the vehicle, a plainly visible signal by means of the hand and arm shall be made. Hand and arm signals shall be made as follows:-

1. An intention to turn to the left shall be indicated by hand and arm extended horizontally.

2. An intention to turn to the right shall be indicated by hand and arm extended upward.

3. An intention to stop or decrease speed shall be indicated by hand and arm extended downward.

Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars for each offense.
I thought somewhere in there (law) it states that in order to cite for failure to use the turn signal it must in someway affect the operation of another vehicle. ?? No one behind the guy no need for a turn signal, correct?


Posted by: union1

Neon's under the car have their own section in CMR... Not 90.7


Posted by: Crvtte65

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil
I thought somewhere in there (law) it states that in order to cite for failure to use the turn signal it must in someway affect the operation of another vehicle. ?? No one behind the guy no need for a turn signal, correct?
That's what I was informed also Gil. It shows that in my little MV book from LED and also CPS


Posted by: frapmpd24

Quote:
Originally posted by Wolfman

Whew. Class dismissed. Be sure to let me know how far I stuck my foot in my mouth this time.
Wolfman,

Excellent breakdown of the use of 90/7 vs. 90/9 and defective vs. improper equipment. If improper use can be articulated the person is going to be wishing the equipment was broken instead (ie. the cheaper fine). I like the option of that $1000 gig for the second offense. How does that work for some local nit wit repeat offender. =D>


Posted by: Dan H

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfman
Can't be blue. Not sure about white, if it's original equipment I'd say OK (I think there were a few cars that came with white turn signals but can't think of any specifics right now), if it's aftermarket you would need to check on DOT compliance for the lens / bulbs.
Vehicles with clear lens turn signals/parking lights/marker lights require amber color bulbs, they will fail safety inspection otherwise.


Posted by: dcs2244

A quick check of the owner's manual will reveal whether the vehicle needs clear or amber bulbs: the bulb number will be folowed by an "A", as in 1157A. "A" bulbs are specified for clear lenses, clear bulbs for amber or red lenses (not that we are checking the book at the side of the road...if it's that important, you can check with the factory dealer and speak with authority at court: it may have been the basis for a stop that led to the discovery of a larger crime...drugs or a dismembered body in the trunk!).

As for the turn-signal-use-must-effect-another-vehicle arguement: I had a defense weasel try to use that dodge to have an OUI stop thrown out: My answer to his question about what other vehicle would have been affected was that "mine would have". His arguement to the judge was that "police vehicles didn't count". The judge didn't buy it, guilty OUI.




ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops

About MassCops, the home for Massachusetts law enforcement.

The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network opened in 1998 and is now a part of the New England Police Network The site is a pro-police discussion forum intended for sworn police officers and civilian law enforcement officials as well as those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement here in Massachusetts.

The goal of The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network is to provide an informal network of law enforcement officials here in Massachusetts for educational and informational purposes.

The forum covers many topics such as Police Related News Articles, Agency & Profession Discussions, Police Training as well as Law Enforcement Career Information.

The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network and The New England Police Network (NEPN) and it's network sites are privately owned websites/domains and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government association or agency.

MassCops (masscops.com) and (masscop.com) are privately owned are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Massachusetts Coalition of Police (masscop.org)



vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
vB Easy Archive Final ©2000 - 2008 - Created by Stefan "Xenon" Kaeser

3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 49 50 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108