Dear fwm-ga;
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question.
The simple answer to your question is, NO, blue lighting on
non-emergency or unauthorized civilian vehicles are illegal in the
state of Illinois, regardless of where the lights are located. At
first glance one might think that the issue isn't mentioned in the
statutes, but statutory wording can be a tricky thing to decipher.
Having been in law enforcement for more than 20 years I’ve long since
learned to watch for the “catch-all” legalese, and I did find the
statement that prohibits this act.
Illinois statutes address a number of vehicle lighting scenarios but
doesn’t really say much about static (non-moving) fog lights or
auxiliary lights directly. Rather than leave one guessing as to how he
is to approach issues that are not specifically addressed by the
statutes, the legislature cleverly added this caveat in the law:
“(625 ILCS 5/12-212)
(c) Unless otherwise expressly authorized by this Code, all other
lighting or combination of lighting on any vehicle shall be
prohibited.”
ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES
VEHICLES
ILLINOIS VEHICLE CODE
625 ILCS 5/
http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/ilcs/ch625/ch625act5articles/ch625act5sub69.htm
The impact of this statement in the law is that issues that are not
specifically addressed by these statutes are to be presumed to be in
violation of the statutes. That is to say that the law does not
specifically address blue fog lights, therefore blue fog lights are
not considered authorized lighting under this statute.
This information and my interpretation of the law is also confirmed by
Sgt Randy L. Ness, of the Illinois State police in this article found
in the SUBURBAN CHICAGO NEWS:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/trooper/62823476.htm
I hope you find that that my research exceeds your expectations. If
you have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
INFORMATION SOURCES
SUBURBAN CHICAGO NEWS
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/trooper/62823476.htm
ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES
VEHICLES
ILLINOIS VEHICLE CODE
625 ILCS 5/
http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/ilcs/ch625/ch625act5articles/ch625act5sub69.htm
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
ILLINOIS STATE STATUTES
ILLINOIS TRAFFIC CODE
ILLINOIS “BLUE LIGHTS” PROHIBITED |
Request for Answer Clarification by
fwm-ga
on
31 Jul 2003 13:52 PDT
Tutuzdad
Thanks for the info on blue lights 625 ILCS 5/12-212 but this makes it
seem like amber lights are also prohibited so what’s your opinion of:
625 ILCS 5/12-210
(d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the use of auxiliary
driving lamps, commonly referred to as "fog" lamps, when used
in
conjunction with head lamps, if such auxiliary driving lamps
are
adjusted and so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into
the
eyes of drivers of oncoming vehicles.
(Source: P.A. 85-1144.)
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Clarification of Answer by
tutuzdad-ga
on
31 Jul 2003 14:16 PDT
If you examine this portion of the statute closely you will see that
it merely addresses the "angle" at which the lights should be so as
not to pose a safety hazard to oncoming vehicles.
As for the prohibition on amber lights, if you read the statute in
it's entirety you will see that amber lights ARE prohibited if they
are not of the type specifically addressed in the statute (on the
cowl, fender, running board, etc., "...which shall emit a white or
amber light without glare.")
regards;
tutuzdad-ga
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
fwm-ga
on
02 Aug 2003 16:11 PDT
Dear tutuzdad
I appreciate your answer to my question on "Blue Fog Lights" but now
it seems as though any color of fog lights are prohibit including
white.
(625 ILCS 5/12-212)
(c) Unless otherwise expressly authorized by this Code, all other
lighting or combination of lighting on any vehicle shall be
prohibited.
(Source: P.A. 86-664.)
Do you interpret this caveat any different than I do?
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Clarification of Answer by
tutuzdad-ga
on
02 Aug 2003 18:39 PDT
Refer to (625 ILCS 5/12-201) Sec. 12-201. [paragraph] (b) which states
in part:
"...motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head
lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle,
which
satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements,
showing
white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge
(HID)
lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint..."
Therefore, as the statute reads, white, yellow or amber lights (fog
lights or any other auxillary lights) are permissible, but other
lights, such as the blue ones you suggested (or any other color for
that matter), are prohibited.
I hope this serves to clarify the answer.
Regards;
tutuzdad-ga
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