NOOB! exterior lighting. legal?!

[gianpo]

Hey i was on Mazda 3 forums with the same topic but i signed up on here so i could hear more people's responses and opinions

ok so i just got my 2004 mazda 3 in September and after seeing one of my friend's 2007 mazda 3 i got excited to DIY some stuff myself. My first excursion is concerning the lights on the front bumper. i have some ideas in mind but im wondering if they are possible (or legal). I wanted to add white led strip lights on the grill and under the headlights, i think its legal, but then an idea came up where i would install a few red lights behind the mazda emblem to make it glow a little red at night. Would that be illegal? if you need pictures to invision it i could probably come up with a crude photoshop pic of it. Thanks

 

[bbrich57]

I would agree with your overall assessment of the situation.
White up front, probably legal, though I would check with your DOT first if you're worried about it. some states have rather strict laws concerning additional or add-on lighting.
Red up front, not legal in any place I know of. It could be confusing to other drivers, and therefore dangerous on the roads. Not wise.

 

[Bmies]

in texas, as it was told to me by my friend whos chief of police. Its legal to have any color STEADY light. Single color. It makes you a target yes, and anything you do will get you pulled over. But it is legal. The white is legal, seeing as they also sell headlights for our cars that have that exact same thing, just make it clean and youll have no issues

 

[rsvinylgraphics]

No Red or Blue
Florida statute 316.2397 explains that it is expressly illegal for red or blue lights to be shown on non-law enforcement vehicles. This law includes headlights, lights visible within the car, lights in the rear or front, and lights underneath. Anyone displaying red or blue lights underneath their car will be stopped, the lights confiscated and the drivers subject to fine or arrest.

 

[Goldie2009]

Please just dont do it...Use your money on real mods!

 

[bbrich57]

in Texas, as it was told to me by my friend who is a chief of police. Its legal to have any color STEADY light. Single color. It makes you a target yes, and anything you do will get you pulled over. But it is legal. The white is legal, seeing as they also sell headlights for our cars that have that exact same thing, just make it clean and you'll have no issues

I think you should try that first, Bmies and see how it goes, because (for example) when those LED lit washer jets were popular, people around here in Austin were getting pulled over left and right for them, no matter what the color. And the Austin cops are usually not that picky about the little things. I considered installing some myself (blue or green) until I began to hear those stories, and in about a yrs time, I heard of half a dozen people that were told to remove, or at least deactivate them.
All the people I know said they were told (by the cops) only white and amber up front. Anything else is reserved for emergency vehicles only... and they are picky about their colored lights.
In short, it's probably more trouble than its worth. And finding out could cost you more than the lights did.
Now on the other hand, I do have a strip of white LEDs above my headlights that come on with the ignition switch (day or night) and have never had a problem with them.

 

[DareDevilM3]

most states say no red or blue...(emergency vehicles only).....if your parked you may be able to display them but not while operating. usually no lights aloud above the headlights too
I agree with bbrich57 probably more trouble than its worth....put the cash into something more usable