12 replies to this topic

[Glasgowtom]

Ok,

So, a new member as I have just bought a 2006 V70 T5 Ex Police. When I got it home, I realised that the previous owner had fitted concealed blue strobes in the side light lenses and also the reverse light lenses. These can be activated by a panel in the glove compartment.

After a telephone call, I was told by the bloke that these had been fitted for a bit of filming by some students for some sort of Uni production.  

My question is this; are these legal to have installed on the car, even if they are not turned on? Or am i going to have to take the light housings apart to remove them?

Any feedback would be great, thanks

[V70Ben]

It is illegal to have blue lamps fitted to a vehicle that is not a police, ambulance, fire authority vehicle.

Can you see the strobes clearly (without turning them on)?

If so, you may get away with just chopping the wires to them, and removing the control panel.


In either case, removing the lights and clusters isn't too big a job.

If you wish, post up a couple of pictures.



PS> You can try the "Show Lights" argument with a bobby if they pull you over - but it won't get you very far, especially in an ex plod motor (however if the wires are cut, lights unusable and clearly so, then you'd be fine IMHO)

Depends on the light/strobe modules and how visible they are.

[Glasgowtom]

V70Ben, on 03 February 2012 - 03:47 , said:

It is illegal to have blue lamps fitted to a vehicle that is not a police, ambulance, fire authority vehicle.

Can you see the strobes clearly (without turning them on)?

If so, you may get away with just chopping the wires to them, and removing the control panel.


In either case, removing the lights and clusters isn't too big a job.

If you wish, post up a couple of pictures.



PS> You can try the "Show Lights" argument with a bobby if they pull you over - but it won't get you very far, especially in an ex plod motor (however if the wires are cut, lights unusable and clearly so, then you'd be fine IMHO)

Depends on the light/strobe modules and how visible they are.

Well, They are LED, So you can't see them at all unless you look closely. Apart from when the side/reverse lights are on, you can just about make out the rectangular outline of the module. But in saying that, I can only see it because I know they are there. The only reason I found them is because I went into the glove compartment, saw the panel and pushed a button. The next thing I know; my garage door is flashing blue.

My only worry is that I get pulled (Which no doubt will happen being an ex police) and they find the panel in the glove compartment.

But surely I could get away with the 'Show car' card seeing as the panel is out of my reach while driving, therefore I have no control over them while behind the wheel.

[V70D5]

LOL, good luck with trying that on with Strathclyde traffic cops! (Fuxs sake they even nicked the Stig!) I know there are good and bad in all walks of life  but those lot I'm sure would have great pleasure in doing you for that one.  Best visiblycut the wires IMHO.  If you need them for show re connect them but Ben's advice is sound. The blues are not needed as Im sure you have already found, they are the best lane clearers available!

Edited by V70D5, 03 February 2012 - 07:15 .

[mark850r]

i got done for having 2 minute blue led (flashing) lights on my honda civic when i was younger had to rip them out there and then to avoid a fine but they then did me for my window tints ( ) antything that is flashing red/blue or green can be classed as impersonating a emergancy vehicle and it will land you in trouble.

cheers mark

Edited by mark850r, 03 February 2012 - 09:49 .

[Glasgowtom]

V70D5, on 03 February 2012 - 07:14 , said:

LOL, good luck with trying that on with Strathclyde traffic cops! (Fuxs sake they even nicked the Stig!) I know there are good and bad in all walks of life  but those lot I'm sure would have great pleasure in doing you for that one.  Best visiblycut the wires IMHO.  If you need them for show re connect them but Ben's advice is sound. The blues are not needed as Im sure you have already found, they are the best lane clearers available!

I think it was Fife Police who nicked the stig haha. But yes, You are correct, they do clear the lanes haha. I will admit that I had a little go of them today and they worked wonders haha. Realising how fun this was, and at the risk of not being able to resist the urge, I am happy to report that I have now taken Ben's advice and chopped the wires, also removing the panel. I know for a fact that these were going to get me into a lot of trouble haha

Thanks for everyone's advice, I appreciate your time, a lot

Tom

[T5ABC]

Dark green V70's with aerials on the back work well too

[RobbieH]

Glasgowtom, on 03 February 2012 - 12:00 , said:

I think it was Fife Police who nicked the stig haha. But yes, You are correct, they do clear the lanes haha. I will admit that I had a little go of them today and they worked wonders haha. Realising how fun this was, and at the risk of not being able to resist the urge, I am happy to report that I have now taken Ben's advice and chopped the wires, also removing the panel. I know for a fact that these were going to get me into a lot of trouble haha

Thanks for everyone's advice, I appreciate your time, a lot

Tom

Is that something you really want to admit to on a public forum with the sub-forum headed "ask the police"? Who do you think might give you an answer (or even more than that)?

[Glasgowtom]

RobbieH, on 03 February 2012 - 13:38 , said:

Is that something you really want to admit to on a public forum with the sub-forum headed "ask the police"? Who do you think might give you an answer (or even more than that)?

A fair point Robbie! But to be honest, I think the police have better things to do than prowl forums looking for people committing traffic offences. and with that said, This site doesnt have my address. I also know several people in the area with ex plod T5s.

I was on an Accord Type R run last summer with the ATR owners  club, there was about 50 cars there, we all went a run up and over Devil's Elbow past Perth. about 30 of these guys were police, some even Traffic. Every car, including those driven by Traffic plod were doing at leas 100mph most of the way.

They are just as bad as the rest of us while off duty haha. This is not a valid argument, I am aware. But I just thought I would put that out there haha

Every Strathclyde Police car has a reg mark beginning with the letters 'SF' 'SF08 LGB'  for example, so this when you know you are being followed by an unmarked car. So, in leau of the blue lights, I may buy a fake ariel for the back, and perhaps an 'SF'  private reg, its legal, and no doubt clear lanes hahaha

[adam b]

Is it really worth it? The reason people get pulled over by unmarked cars is that don't clock them to start with. Therefore the people you are probably trying to scare won't even recognise the significance.

[T5-Andy]

Glasgowtom, on 03 February 2012 - 12:00 , said:

I think it was Fife Police who nicked the stig haha. But yes, You are correct, they do clear the lanes haha. I will admit that I had a little go of them today and they worked wonders haha. Realising how fun this was, and at the risk of not being able to resist the urge, I am happy to report that I have now taken Ben's advice and chopped the wires, also removing the panel. I know for a fact that these were going to get me into a lot of trouble haha

Thanks for everyone's advice, I appreciate your time, a lot

Tom

I think the point being made was that you DID NOT need the blue flashing lights to clear the lane!

[steveo82]

I would be very careful with the theory that unmarked cars use the local reg to force which it is attached, not always true for the obvious reason of people becoming aware of the fact.

My force leases cars with loads of different prefixes making it difficult to know and they rotate what area the cars work for often several weeks so its not seen regulary in one place, when they get really rumbled they get rid.

And yes we are not perfect, everybody strays over the limit in one or another, we are only human too!

[longpod]

No motor vehicle may be driven on a road fitted with a device that is or resembles an emergency warning beacon (blue lamp). In addition no MV may be driven showing anything other than a red light to the rear (exemptions for directional lamps and reversing lights) and may show nothing than white or yellow light to the front.

Blue lights are illegal unless you are driving a designated emergency vehicle, are on call as same, or are driving it in possession as part of your trade. In which case whe it goes to the workshop, the police garage will disable the warning equipment and airwaves radio vehicle sets.