question about blackouts

[TrAnS Am 98]

are they illegal in new york??? and if so what are the fines if pulled for them
id love to get them but i dont wanna get a gigantic ticket just for having blackouts on my car

[PUREPWR]

I'm not to sure about New York but here in schaumburg, illinois we have really tight ordanences with the cars on the road. I have black outs on my black T/A and I got pulled over and the cop questioned me about them. The law here is that your tail lights not your brake lights have to be visible at night from 500 feet away. I never checked but I dont think its a problem.

[wolfdogs]

just ask a state police person or inspection station. call one.

[MaraSport]

Yes it has to be visible in NC from 500 ft and that is why most people in NC don't have blackouts and this one Stang had black outs on the headlights and the taillights and all of them got pulled off... But that is why around here most people go with the european styled taillights...

Sorry I forgot you have a T/A and can't have them... Oh well..

[fastTa]

I'm sure there are laws frowning upon this in every state. Anytime you interfere with the visibility of your parking, lights you can bet there is a law against it.

I think it looks sweet, but it just boils down to whether or not you are willing to accept the risk of fines.

[TrAnS Am 98]

yea ill get them if its like a 50 dollar ticket or something in that range here and there but if its something that really makes a dent its just not worth it the stock lights are gorgeous i just think the blackouts look really good

[Dave M]

One cost of tailight blackouts that people often overlook is this: In almost every situation, if someone rearends you they are at fault. The police or insurance company is going to say that they were following too close for conditions. And by definition, this is true. If they weren't able to keep from hitting you, they were following too close. However, with tailight blackouts, if someone rearends you because of the reduced visibility, you (or your insurance company) is going to be liable for any damage and injuries caused. Even if the blackouts WEREN'T the cause of the accident, all the person who hit you has to do is see that you have them and claim he couldn't see your brake lights because of them, and now it becomes you're problem. You know any lawyer in the country would jump all over that accident with a lawsuit, especially if there were a law against having them on your car. That shows willful neglect.

I had them on my 3rd gen, they passed PA inspection with them on, but I took them off after a while out of fear of the above. I may have to get a new set for my 97 though, because they just look too sweet on a black car to pass up. I might be willing to take the risk.

[Black97]

How come, whenever you think that you have a cool mod for your ride, somebody comes along that puts more thougt into it and makes you not want it anymore?

Thanks Dave and all the others. It helps to live in the real world.

Has anybody tried the blackout spray paint. I found a web site a while ago where the guys spraypaint your excisting lights and then clear coats them. You can also buy that stuff in cans.

I was thinking (before I saw the blackouts that you can buy) to spray paint my lights with it. Be conservative and only apply a coat or two and see how it looks. Just would like to darken them up to the point that I might be still legal.

[TrAnS Am 98]

great now im scared to get them

[wolfdogs]

Originally posted by TrAnS Am 98
great now im scared to get them

sometimes......"scared" is " smart "...........

[TrAnS Am 98]

sometimes

[Kevin M]

California's .02 cents

Here's the answer for Californian's. Per section 26101 of the Ca. Vehicle Code it is a moving violation (fine & points) to operate a car that has any lights modified from stock, even if that car is not yours. The caveat being that it may be legal if the modification has been approved by the state. That is 99% directly related to replacing wrecked parts with similar non-factory parts.

So in other words, here in Cali it is a moving violation just like running a red light.

Now here's where the rubber meets the road. What will the officer do. Lazy, too busy or uninformed: Nothing Traffic Officer: Ticket
Fellow F-body officer: Nighttime, ticket. Daytime, warning about law, probably no ticket unless your attitude tells me that you won't listen to my warning (applies to all laws.)

Just me piping in. Keep the shiny side up.