Noticed recently a lot of trucks with blue marker lights showing at the front of them…and I am sure I read some where this was illegal and only emergency vehicles could have a blue light. Also red lights, I thought these could only face backwards?
Also…The flashing beacons used by wide loads/caravan transporters etc. These are terrible if you are following one down the motorway in the dark…anyone know of any regs regarding these?
And finally front foglights…and the use of when it aint foggy. This is definately illegal. I know because I broke down not so long ago on the A65 just off the M6, and the plod who were directing the traffic round me were pulling the cars/trucks who had them on and telling them to turn them off. I admit to sometimes using them myself before this, just wondered if the drivers who do have them on all the time realised?
Just noticed the other post about front fog lights before anyone says it
In the UK, blue lights are legal if they don’t flash. Though i hear in Germany they’re illegal full stop (correct me if I’m wrong would you?)
Red lights should only face backwards, or not be visible from the vehicle in front…
Flashing lights are a pain in the bum at night, I agree completely, way too bright, blinding you every 2 seconds…
I think the blue lights look cack, aint seen any other colours as of yet. Im a fan of the HID lights or bright neon type. Ive noticed a few scanias with big blue V lights on front grill/bonnet which looks cack and also YELLOW McBurney lorries with the blue lights :s
it is illegal to use a orange beacon IF travelling over 25MPH, although the police ignore this for Wide / heavy loads.
Half the folk run with them on for nothing, caravans should have marker boards lighten up.
bedgar047:
it is illegal to use a orange beacon IF travelling over 25MPH, although the police ignore this for Wide / heavy loads.
Half the folk run with them on for nothing, caravans should have marker boards lighten up.
erm i dont think this can be right? we’ve got a extendable low loader and when its stretched to take a 40ft over height flat rack we’re supposed to have beacons front and back, i cant see that we’re not allowed to exceed 25pmh/■■/■■? weather the police ignor it or not.
i think hes thinking about tractors,and im pretty sure vehicles that CANNOT travel over 25mph,must have a flashing amber light to warn other road users.
Blue lights are illegal full stop, when I was younger people used to get stopped in their cars because they had blue side lights or had a blue neon strip in the window. My dad works with the police so I used to get the low down, white lights only on the front, amber on the sides and red at the back. If you see a young guy in his car at night at the side of the road showing blue lights some people might mistake him for the police or if other colours are used might be confused as to which way the car is travelling. Any blue light at all is an offence flashing or not.
DS074:
Also red lights, I thought these could only face backwards?
Also…The flashing beacons used by wide loads/caravan transporters etc. These are terrible if you are following one down the motorway in the dark…anyone know of any regs regarding these?
You’re correct,red lights should only be shown to the rear,but what about the latest craze of red lights around cab air deflectors? Not illegal in themselves,but is the red light from them shining on the front of the trailer classed as showing red light to the front?
Flashing beacons should only be shown to the rear if the vehicle and/or load exceeds 2.9m width.
With regard to breakdown vehicles,if they are flat- or suspended-towing,using the beacons is legal,but if they are carrying a disabled vehicle,their use would be illegal.
Here is a little snippet nicked from 8Wheels Blogspot about orange beacons.
Before Leaving
Take a good look at the load, does it look OK? Could you use another strap or chain? Whilst I don’t advocate doing a spiderman job, straps do no good in the toolbox if you are unsure strap it. Do you know your travelling height? Ideally you should measure the machine whilst it’s on the ground and add the height of the truck bed plus a few inches margin. Turn your beacons off when you leave.
Posted by 8Wheels at 14:01 0 comments
Labels: plant loading
DS074:
Not having a go at the lights Mr V…I think they look good all lit up at night, just asking about blue and red lights facing forward.
I also noticed I didnt get the “HERE WE GO AGAIN” response when I put some money into your bungee jump fund the other day
Mate, you misunderstand. There has been countless posts on lights, lighting and every other light on the planet. Every time one of these posts turn up i get drawn into the debate wether i like it or not.
Thank you for your sponsorship, it is appreciated. But if i hold a different opinion to some, it doesn’t mean the cause is any less deserving. You are within yr rights to withdraw yr support if you so wish. Mr.V.
euroscot:
Blue lights are illegal full stop, when I was younger people used to get stopped in their cars because they had blue side lights or had a blue neon strip in the window. My dad works with the police so I used to get the low down, white lights only on the front, amber on the sides and red at the back. If you see a young guy in his car at night at the side of the road showing blue lights some people might mistake him for the police or if other colours are used might be confused as to which way the car is travelling. Any blue light at all is an offence flashing or not.
sorry, you are wrong.
Blue lights are legal as long as they DON’T flash
but
where some confusion may come from is, the top corner marker lights (standard fit) and the sidelights (the ones fitted in the headlamps) should be white, but you can fit as many other marker lights as you wish, these can be any colour you wish apart from red.
(quote)
Mate, you misunderstand. There has been countless posts on lights, lighting and every other light on the planet. Every time one of these posts turn up i get drawn into the debate wether i like it or not.
Mr vain … just because youve read every single post about lights theres plenty of new comers like myself that hasnt, if youve heard it all b4 then dont read it and dont post simple as that.
shall we run every post past you first before we post it to the forum? just in case you have read about it b4.
DS074:
Not having a go at the lights Mr V…I think they look good all lit up at night, just asking about blue and red lights facing forward.
I also noticed I didnt get the “HERE WE GO AGAIN” response when I put some money into your bungee jump fund the other day
Mate, you misunderstand. There has been countless posts on lights, lighting and every other light on the planet. Every time one of these posts turn up i get drawn into the debate wether i like it or not.
Thank you for your sponsorship, it is appreciated. But if i hold a different opinion to some, it doesn’t mean the cause is any less deserving. You are within yr rights to withdraw yr support if you so wish. Mr.V.
You were the first to answer so you werent drawn in by anyone?
I agree there are other posts on here regarding lights, as there are posts on here regarding most other subjects, but being new to the site I feel its easier to ask a question rather than trawl back through 300+ pages of posts in the hope of finding the answer.
If drivers wish to adorn their trucks with lights, that is their preference, and I see nothing wrong with it personally, but surely the whole idea of a forum is to gauge other peoples views and get their ideas on things, rather than mocking them?
as you say DS074 better to ask than trawl
especially as the search related feature is tiresome and not that good. allways getting page expired and having to start all over again with the same keywords
we’ve got a extendable low loader and when its stretched to take a 40ft over height flat rack we’re supposed to have beacons front and back, i cant see that we’re not allowed to exceed 25pmh/■■/■■? 
weather the police ignor it or not.
