Interesting...

[wolfwings]

Site talking about vehicle lighting, and colour/placement restrictions, in regards to the California Vehicle Code.

Specifically, the site claims (and searching the CVC posted on-line with Google searches, and reading the linked-to sections, I have to agree) that the commonly-held belief that blue and green are restricted colours doesn't appear to be true. There are no references I was able to find that mention anything about blue or green lighting on passenger vehicles, or restrictions regarding that colour usage on any vehicle in fact. The only time it speaks of green is in regards to traffic lights, and similair usages.

drewkitty, any sections you can find that counter this general consensus, or the specific points the above-linked site brings up? Anyone at all?

Comments

[drewkitty.livejournal.com]

OK. CVC is brutal about what you are not allowed to do. I don't have time to do the cites to back it up, but be aware: CVC is forbidding, not permissive, about any light you attach to your vehicle, in any direction, unless the vehicle is solely operated on private property. In other words, unless CVC says it's OK to install that light, it's presumptively NOT OK.

24003 is the forbidding code section. "24003. No vehicle shall be equipped with any lamp or illuminating device not required or permitted in this code, nor shall any lamp or illuminating device be mounted inside a vehicle unless specifically permitted by this code."

25400 is very, very interesting. It may be new. But bring your light strength meter to your installation. "of not more than 0.05 candela per square inch of area."

Certain things which are done by OEM vehicle manufacturers are lawful, because they are done at the factory. The same retrofit, on the same make and model (but different year) of vehicle, even if done by a pro, would violate CVC.

Most of the "automobile gadgets" sold in California over the counter are in fact unlawful to put on your vehicle.

The CHP's answers are typically definitive. Your mileage may vary with local PDs. The best approach is consult with experts.

This site purports to be posted by experts. While I see nothing wrong with their arguments on a fast read, I'd want to consult myself to verify.

If you do this, carry a copy of the relevant CVC sections in your vehicle and know how to have polite discussions with the CHP officers you will be meeting.

Specs-wise, flashing blue on vehicles is a police color ("takedown lights") just about everywhere. On industrial machinery, it's automated equipment that may move at any time. Outside CA, steady or flashing green is typically reserved for volunteer fire or EMS.

(And either way, this is going to make a great Denny's midnight discussion. Thanks again.)

24003 is what everyone, including most CHP, thinks is the catchall...

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

...it's not, amusingly.

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Vehicle With Unlawful Lamps

24003. No vehicle shall be equipped with any lamp or illuminating device not required or permitted in this code, nor shall any lamp or illuminating device be mounted inside a vehicle unless specifically permitted by this code. This section does not apply to:

(a) Interior lamps such as door, brake and instrument lamps, and map, dash, and dome lamps designed and used for the purpose of illuminating the interior of the vehicle.

(b) Lamps needed in the operation or utilization of those vehicles mentioned in Section 25801, or vehicles used by public utilities in the repair or maintenance of their service, or used only for the illumination of cargo space of a vehicle while loading or unloading.

(c) Warning lamps mounted inside an authorized emergency vehicle and meeting requirements established by the department.

Amended Ch. 723, Stats. 1979. Effective January 1, 1980.

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Since this whole topic of research is mostly for interior lighting I'm considering (since on the outside I plan to pick amber everywhere possible, the remainder being white and red only where required) 24003 is a point that debunking it led me to the initial site in the first place, especially since it has a radio-interview with an actual CHP officer. =^.^=

And on a side-note...

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

...enjoy the Denny topic-starter. :-) I look forward to hearing the results. =^.^=

And yes, I realize I'm spamming your comment-notification...

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

...but in case you didn't have QuickTime loaded when you viewed that web-page, the direct link to the MP3 of the section from a KCBS radio show is: http://www.autoi.com/images/shoppingcart-images/KCBS-talk-about-neon.mp3