Too Many Tail Lights??

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Nootherids, Feb 18, 2011.

  1. Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    Right, from what I understood. I don't even know if the law is still in effect anymore?
     
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  3. The Truckist

    The Truckist Medium Load Member

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    As for the regs on the rear lighting...I think this is where it comes from:

    [​IMG]

    If this thumbnail doesn't reveal a legible page, go to the NHTSA page here:

    http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/standards/conspicuity/Trlrpstr.html

    Down in the section headed: ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR TRAILERS EXCEEDING THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS . It specifies a "minimum" quantity of lights up to this point where it specifies "EXACTLY 3" in the position[SIZE=-1]: On the rear - center, facing rearward - horizontally spaced 150 mm (6 in.) to 300 mm (12 in.) apart [/SIZE]. Exactly means...well...exactly.

    I guess this law is not so obscure now.

    Edit: Nope...the thumb image doesn't reveal a legible page. Go to the link and you'll see it.
     
    Les2 Thanks this.
  4. Nootherids

    Nootherids Light Load Member

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    I was hoping more people that either have A LOT of lights or maybe even the ones that have themselves receives tickets would reply to this thread. But I'm glad you chose to reply. What I'm starting to think is that maybe this urban tale of ticketing for too many lights may have been the stories of those people with a lot of lights who got ticketed for having just one of them not working, and instead of telling the truth in shame they may have rearranged the story to blame it on too many lights. Maybe it was just that the installation wasn't done very well and their lights kept blowing out. <shrug>

    I don't know if this is definitive enough but now we have a source department which we can call to ask them for some clarification. <thumbs up>
     
  5. The Truckist

    The Truckist Medium Load Member

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    Yes, NootherIds, after I posted that link, I realized it does not actually show the Motor Carrier directive in the regs. However, it is NHTSA and it does say "Requirements"...I believe it may exist somewhere now that I read that. Somebody will post it eventually if it is indeed out there.
     
  6. dieselbear

    dieselbear Road Train Member

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    This has already been posted, it's the same as 393.11 of the motor carrier regs. I've never quoted NHTSA regs on a motor carrier inspection, nor was I taught to do this. The only regs I was taught to enforce were the federal regs for motor carrier rules and regs, which my State adopted and State laws on the commercial vehicle inspection. But different States may have different verbage or guidelines when dealing with it.:biggrin_25520:
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2011
  7. The Truckist

    The Truckist Medium Load Member

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    Sorry for the repeat if it has been posted previously. I saw mention of the motor carrier regs earlier but didn't realize this was a duplicate.

    Maybe the NHTSA requirements referenced is what the trailer dealer in the first post was following? Thanks for pointing that out, DB.
     
  8. Nootherids

    Nootherids Light Load Member

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    Maybe it is the NHTSA requirements that define what manufacturers may do. But DB made another point...maybe the "extra lights" violations do not exist in the federal motor carrier regulations but it might exist in those of individual states. There are some federal limitations that states can't regulate beyond, such as establishing a maximum GVWR of under 80 tons. But they can limit other things such as the maximum distance between the trailer and tractor tandems. So maybe some states have enacted rules that limit the allowable lighting to no more than the specified manufacturer regulations.

    ????????:biggrin_2554:
     
  9. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    They raised the GVWR to 80 tons? Roadmedic is gonna be very upset!


    I have never been bothered or heard of anyone being bothered for extra lights.
     
  10. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Why am I going to be upset?
     
  11. rbht

    rbht Heavy Load Member

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    Your write Les ,it was law then they either repealed it or put a stay on inforcing it.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 20, 2011
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