Should I fight this ticket?

[IADC43]

Got a ticket for these tail lights



The code violation was for Iowa code 321.404a



321.404A LIGHT-RESTRICTING DEVICES PROHIBITED.
1. A person shall not operate a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or
motorized bicycle on the highways of this state if it is equipped
with a device that restricts the light output of a headlamp required
under section 321.385 or 321.386, a rear lamp required under section
321.387, a signal lamp or signal device required under section
321.404, or a directional signal device as described in section
321.317.
2. A person who violates this section shall be subject to a
scheduled fine under section 805.8A, subsection 3, paragraph "c".



321.387 REAR LAMPS.
Every motor vehicle and every vehicle which is being drawn at the
end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with a lighted rear lamp
or lamps, exhibiting a red light plainly visible from a distance of
five hundred feet to the rear. All lamps and lighting equipment
originally manufactured on a motor vehicle shall be kept in working
condition or shall be replaced with equivalent equipment.

His point is that the simple fact that the black pieces on my taillights violates the law. Just simply being present on there.
My point is that the code refers to fact that it can't restrict light visibility to less than 500ft.

Anybody had any luck with this issue? It's a $93.75 ticket

[357Warrior]

It would be like flipping a coin. In California that would be a fix a ticket just remove covers, have it sign off by CHP and take it to the court for dismissal.

Good luck!

[Blue97]

I would just remove them , my opinion ONLY but I think there ugly. I love the classic OBS lenses. Did the package they came in say for off road use only?

Sorry man, I know this sucks!

[69chevytrucker]

guess i can't drive where you live all my lights are blacked out

[IADC43]

The tail lights were on my suburban when I bought it. I thought they looked dumb on there because they were a black grid that interrupted the red of my burb.
I got this black truck, and I decided they would look much better on it, because of the reverse look of big red blob on a black truck

Now the only thing that bugs me about them on the burb is that I need to add that little bit of black and the gold stripes LOL

[IADC43]

While I am focused on this tail light ticket, he was initially interested in my tinted windows. $127.50

I was in the town I live in and saw a state trooper with another donation giver up the street. I turned on a side street, but he had just turned the vehicle loose and, as I turned the corner, I saw him turning around to come say hi.

Although he wasn't chasing me, He was close enough (I guess) to figure out I was attempting a fancy juking move that he didn't like, hence the extra love for my tail lights.

I don't argue that the windows are darkish, I bought it like that and didn't bother to mess with it. I have spoken face to face with several cops while in the truck and they didn't get fussy, so I didn't tear it off. Now's a pretty good time to consider it

[Tom]

Fight it. Its visable at the same distance as stock.

[69chevytrucker]

you know its only cause of criminals we cant tint and black out i think it makes the truck sometimes

[69chevytrucker]

i have always had blacked tail lights and have never been bothered might be because im in my 40's

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by IADC43

All lamps and lighting equipment
originally manufactured on a motor vehicle shall be kept in working
condition or shall be replaced with equivalent equipment.

This sounds very similar to what the cop told us when we got pulled over (out of town) in my Tahoe a few months back regarding my taillights. He basically said anything that isn't factory is illegal. Mind you, I have a factory third brake light as well as an LED light bar that illuminates when braking or turning. The tails are pretty dark I admit, but you can still see light through them. They were like this when I bought it, so I left them alone & added the light bar for precaution. Btw, we got off with a warning. I've never had a single issue, nor has my wife, while driving my Tahoe around town here (knock on wood ); and we've had numerous cops behind us.

Originally Posted by IADC43

The tail lights were on my suburban when I bought it. I thought they looked dumb on there because they were a black grid that interrupted the red of my burb.
I got this black truck, and I decided they would look much better on it, because of the reverse look of big red blob on a black truck

I know exactly what you're saying, & that's why my black Tahoe still has tinted tails. I will say another option is the French cut taillight covers. They would make things flow together nicely without the big red blob. That's probably what I'll switch to if I ever have an issue. I ran those on my old '93 C-1500 for most of 9 years without ever having a problem.

[imjeff]

I grew up in a town about the size of yours. I would get both issues fixed. Resistance is futile! I actually miss that level of policing. Those do reduce lighting, BTW.

[speedygonzales]

Usually just showing up in court with a clean driving record gets it thrown out. I've had speeding tickets thrown out with a clean driving record.

What does it hurt if you show up. Got nothing to loose and everything to gain.

I fully agree with you that they are no problem. HOWEVER, you better change it now that you had a ticket. If they see you again with them, unless the judge says it is not a problem, will cause them to jump on your ass even harder the next time. I can see it now, "well I see your fram a zan gasket is bad and your canuder valve is a little loud so here's another few tickets to go with that one".

[1badgmc]

It's all going to be up to the judge on this one. You ticked the cop off and he nit-picked you.

According to the letter of the law, they are illegal. They do restrict the light output. It's a very minimal restriction and I do agree that it's messed up to nail you for it, but they block a porting of the light emitting areas of the lens and therefore do restrict the light.

Chances are if you never tried to avoid that cop, you may have never been hassled for the light covers.

[69chevytrucker]

you could lose a days pay and still get the ticket

[Cape Codder]

Remove the covers and tint ,go to court say your sorry and didn't realize they were not legal. Unless you have history it should be reduced or dismissed. Dark tint does say pull me over.

[TheBlueBomber]

Fight it... i would. Heck I've got court later this month for tint on my 96.. In my situation I rolled the windows down and I wouldn't roll them up when he asked me to. He issued me a citation and on my first court date I told the magistrate he didn't meter my windows with a tint gauge. So next step is a trial and they will throw it out. Can't prove I have illegal tint without evidence...

I call bull on the criminals spoiled tint for us. Tint laws along with a lot of these other non safety related laws are nothing but back door taxes. And I won't pay a cent.

It's all about knowing the law and keeping your cool. I keep the vehicle laws in my glove compartment so I don't have this problem.. this trooper in my situation wanted to be a... "trooper" and started yelling at me when I called him out. I laughed in his face when he said "I don't need no gauge, my eyes are the gauge, I've been doing this longer than you've been alive"

[Cape Codder]

If you don't break the laws you wouldn't need a copy in the glovebox. Spending time in court proving i have rights doesn't sound like a good time to me. As far as dark tint I like to make eye contact with other drivers when at a stop so I know they see me. That is a safety issue not a tax.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

If you don't break the laws you wouldn't need a copy in the glovebox. Spending time in court proving i have rights doesn't sound like a good time to me. As far as dark tint I like to make eye contact with other drivers when at a stop so I know they see me. That is a safety issue not a tax.

It's not fun having to go down to court but someone has to do it... checks and balances. If someone can't see a full size pick up truck with a louder than stock exhaust pull up next to them then there is a bigger problem than safety.

A lot of LEO have tinted windows on their patrol and personal vehicles, businesses have tinting and wraps on their vehicles, I drive Military humvees and those things don't have tint but have terrible visibility and folks operate all of those vehicles on a daily basis without problems.The only problem I personally have with tint is backing up at night.

The way I look at it, safety has a cost, freedom. And I'm all about being living free. If that means going down to the court house once a year and fighting a bogus ticket then so be it.

[TheBlueBomber]

As for keeping laws in the glove box... Police officers can't memorize every rule in the book. Keeping those laws handy helps educate officers that don't know the specific statue to that situation.

[Cape Codder]

I spent the first 10 years I had a license thinking the traffic rules didn't apply to me. I had my license suspended twice and many fines. It's been 25 years since my last ticket and my goal is to never step foot in a court room again. I never had much fun there. I would rather go sailing so I thank you for going for me.

[Blue97]

Remove them and pay your fine, or leave them on thinking you can beat this and pay more next time the same cop nails you for something else.... Been there done this and learned from my ignorance..

Sorry man not trying to be an ass , but those light covers are just not worth it!

[69chevytrucker]

my dad was a cop and there is no way he would give a ticket for that i like cops nothing against them we need them but that cop was a big dick if he gave you a ticket for that if you welded your taillight housing up and put a little 4 inch round taillight there they couldnt and wouldnt say a thing you have a foot of light there covering a inch here and there , he was just a ass

[joecool]

Thats the same thing I have on my truck,I've been looking for a reason to take them off now I have it. Besides they usually are more worried about me throwing out beer cans that taillights.

[Jeepwm69]

We're after power and we mean it... There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with.”

― Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

[Cape Codder]

Life is not a conspiracy. Why try to make it one?