How to fight improper colored light ticket?
10-07-2003 | 05:18 PM
#41
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio & Tampa, Flor
Having been a reserve deputy for eight years, I doubt if the word "pig" is as offensive as the tone in which it has been used here. Police offiers have a tough job at times and sometimes they make decisions that we all won't agree on, but to be upset about somthing that you are plainly in the wrong for is kinda silly. As far as getting out of the ticket... maybe try pleading ignorance and as evidence just print out this thread and take it with you to court.. that should be proof enough IMO.
10-07-2003 | 05:55 PM
#42
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Originally posted by zand02max
I'm surprised you didn't get a ticket for arguing. See, it all depends on the officer. Its called officer discretion. Some use it, some don't. You got lucky, my friend.
I'm surprised you didn't get a ticket for arguing. See, it all depends on the officer. Its called officer discretion. Some use it, some don't. You got lucky, my friend.
I'm sorry, but I've had run ins with police officers who were clearly in the wrong and clearly on a power trip. Almost sounds like you're on one of your own with a comment like this? Where do you draw the line between discussing and argueing? Or is there no discussion involved when it come to dealing with an officer of the law?
Last edited by mooch; 10-07-2003 at 06:04 PM.
10-07-2003 | 06:24 PM
#43
Originally posted by ZBaby
Having been a reserve deputy for eight years, I doubt if the word "pig" is as offensive as the tone in which it has been used here. Police offiers have a tough job at times and sometimes they make decisions that we all won't agree on, but to be upset about somthing that you are plainly in the wrong for is kinda silly. As far as getting out of the ticket... maybe try pleading ignorance and as evidence just print out this thread and take it with you to court.. that should be proof enough IMO.
Having been a reserve deputy for eight years, I doubt if the word "pig" is as offensive as the tone in which it has been used here. Police offiers have a tough job at times and sometimes they make decisions that we all won't agree on, but to be upset about somthing that you are plainly in the wrong for is kinda silly. As far as getting out of the ticket... maybe try pleading ignorance and as evidence just print out this thread and take it with you to court.. that should be proof enough IMO.
I never said I was innocent. A warning would have been nice. Not pulling me over inches from a town border would have been nice. But now that I got the ticket, I am just asking forum members for advice in case some of them might have run into something similar.
10-07-2003 | 07:00 PM
#45
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Afropuff, I gotta hand it to you...You basically took the higher road by stepping up and apologizing for the pig comment and made it clear that you were GUILTY of this infraction and were only looking for advise. I'm having a hard time understanding the bashing you're getting on this. There are those that make it clear that cop bashing is a no-no, yet yourself and others detailing their own experience with this are getting bashed. The whole situation as you said is no big deal, yet some want to look for any opportunity to in some way belittle others over such a small issue. Sorry.
10-08-2003 | 06:45 AM
#46
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 23,397
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Originally posted by JackdawFool
Am I missing something in your chosen selections from the IL code? I don't see anything in there that would prevent someone from mounting whatever color lights they want on the front of their car - so long as they have at least two headlamps on the vehicle of snow white, yellow, or amber color.
Something in the rest of the code perhaps?
Just curious... I personally can't stand lighting mods, but I don't like most laws against them either - If someone is going to get into an accident because they caught glimpse of an off color light in their rearview and mistook it for an emergency vehicle, or were distracted - the problem is not with the off color light. That driver has no business behind the wheel of a vehicle. Afterall, there are a lot of real emergency vehicles on the road, and a lot of far worse distractions.
Sirens and flashing lights (any such lights could confuse a driver as to wether or not the vehicle behind them was an emergency vehicle), and lights that are visually irritating or impairing to other drivers should be illegal. Not these little cosmetic things (no matter how silly I think they look).
One more little rant: Emergency sirens used in radio advertisements should be illegal also.
Am I missing something in your chosen selections from the IL code? I don't see anything in there that would prevent someone from mounting whatever color lights they want on the front of their car - so long as they have at least two headlamps on the vehicle of snow white, yellow, or amber color.
Something in the rest of the code perhaps?
Just curious... I personally can't stand lighting mods, but I don't like most laws against them either - If someone is going to get into an accident because they caught glimpse of an off color light in their rearview and mistook it for an emergency vehicle, or were distracted - the problem is not with the off color light. That driver has no business behind the wheel of a vehicle. Afterall, there are a lot of real emergency vehicles on the road, and a lot of far worse distractions.
Sirens and flashing lights (any such lights could confuse a driver as to wether or not the vehicle behind them was an emergency vehicle), and lights that are visually irritating or impairing to other drivers should be illegal. Not these little cosmetic things (no matter how silly I think they look).
One more little rant: Emergency sirens used in radio advertisements should be illegal also.
(625 ILCS 5/12-207)
Sec. 12-207. Spot lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed three auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.
(c) The restrictions of subsections 12-207 (a) and 12-207 (b) of this Act shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or equipment used for snow and ice removal operations if owned or operated by or for any governmental body.
(d) The minimum and maximum height restrictions prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 12-207 shall not apply to privately owned motor vehicles on which a snow plow is mounted, while in transit between or during snow and ice removal operations. This exemption shall apply only during the period from November 15 through April 1, and only when the snow plow blade, commonly referred to as a "moldboard", is properly and securely affixed to the front of the motor vehicle.
(Source: P.A. 85-1010.)
more...
(625 ILCS 5/12-209)
Sec. 12-209. Additional Lighting Equipment.
(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than 2 side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running board courtesy lamp on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(c) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with one or more back-up lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps; but any such back-up lamp or lamps shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(Source: P.A. 77-37.)
more...
(c) No vehicle shall have the lighting system modified to allow
more than 2 electric head lamps to be lighted while operating in the dimmed or dropped position.
(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.)
more... (this may be unique to IL, but not sure)
(b) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with driving lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary driving lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof, not more than a total of 4 of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
(Source: P.A. 86-1236.)
another section...
(625 ILCS 5/12-212)
Sec. 12-212. Special restrictions on lamps. (a) No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device on the vehicle or equipment displaying a red light visible from directly in front of the vehicle or equipment except as otherwise provided in this Act.
(b) Subject to the restrictions of this Act, flashing lights are
prohibited on motor vehicles except as a means for indicating a right or left turn as provided in Section 12-208 or the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care as expressly provided in Sections 11-804 or 12-215.
(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.)
There is another portion of the code that deals with colors that are specifically only allowed by emergency or other kinds of vehicles and not private motorists. If I have the time to read through and find it, I'll definitely post it.
Last edited by WashUJon; 10-08-2003 at 06:50 AM.
10-08-2003 | 06:52 AM
#47
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 23,397
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Here's the passage I was referring to in the last post:
(625 ILCS 5/12-215)
(Text of Section from P.A. 92-651)
Sec. 12-215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor
vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing
lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or local
authorities;
2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county coroner
and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a
law enforcement vehicle; however, such designation or authorization
must be carried in the vehicle;
3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or federal
firefighting vehicles;
4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively as
ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be
lighted except when responding to an emergency call for and while
actually conveying the sick or injured;
5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such lights;
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on any such tow truck
while the tow truck is operating in the State of Illinois; and
6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and
vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety.
(b) The use of amber oscillating, rotating or flashing lights,
whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Second division vehicles designed and used for towing or
hoisting vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted
except as required in this paragraph 1; such lights shall be lighted
when such vehicles are actually being used at the scene of an
accident or disablement; if the towing vehicle is equipped with a
flat bed that supports all wheels of the vehicle being transported,
the lights shall not be lighted while the vehicle is engaged in
towing on a highway; if the towing vehicle is not equipped with a
flat bed that supports all wheels of a vehicle being transported,
the lights shall be lighted while the towing vehicle is engaged in
towing on a highway during all times when the use of headlights is
required under Section 12-201 of this Code;
2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois, local
authorities and contractors; furthermore, such lights shall not be
lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance or
construction operations within the limits of construction projects;
3. Vehicles or equipment used by engineering or survey crews;
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such
vehicles are actually engaged in work on a highway;
4. Vehicles of public utilities, municipalities, or other
construction, maintenance or automotive service vehicles except that
such lights shall be lighted only as a means for indicating the
presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in
approaching, overtaking or passing while such vehicles are engaged
in maintenance, service or construction on a highway;
5. Oversized vehicle or load; however, such lights shall only
be lighted when moving under permit issued by the Department under
Section 15-301 of this Code;
6. The front and rear of motorized equipment owned and
operated by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision
thereof, which is designed and used for removal of snow and ice from
highways;
7. Fleet safety vehicles registered in another state,
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as provided for
in Section 12-212 of this Code;
8. Such other vehicles as may be authorized by local
authorities;
9. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local authorities when
used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing
lights;
10. Vehicles used for collecting or delivering mail for the
United States Postal Service provided that such lights shall not be
lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such
purposes;
11. Any vehicle displaying a slow-moving vehicle emblem as
provided in Section 12-205.1;
12. All trucks equipped with self-compactors or roll-off
hoists and roll-on containers for garbage or refuse hauling. Such
lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually
being used for such purposes;
13. Vehicles used by a security company, alarm responder, or
control agency, if the security company, alarm responder, or control
agency is bound by a contract with a federal, State, or local
government entity to use the lights; and
14. Security vehicles of the Department of Human Services;
however, the lights shall not be lighted except when being used for
security related purposes under the direction of the superintendent
of the facility where the vehicle is located.
(c) The use of blue oscillating, rotating or flashing lights,
whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Rescue squad vehicles not owned by a fire department and
vehicles owned or fully operated by a:
voluntary firefighter;
paid firefighter;
part-paid firefighter;
call firefighter;
member of the board of trustees of a fire protection
district;
paid or unpaid member of a rescue squad; or
paid or unpaid member of a voluntary ambulance unit.
However, such lights are not to be lighted except when
responding to a bona fide emergency.
2. Police department vehicles in cities having a population of
500,000 or more inhabitants.
3. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local authorities when
used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing
lights.
4. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or federal
firefighting vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating,
rotating or flashing lights.
5. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively as
ambulances or rescue vehicles when used in combination with red
oscillating, rotating or flashing lights; furthermore, such lights
shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call.
6. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as organ
transport vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating,
rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall only
be lighted when the transportation is declared an emergency by a
member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ
procurement organization.
7. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and
vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety, when used in
combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
(c-1) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing
lights permitted under subsection (c), and notwithstanding subsection
(a), a vehicle operated by a voluntary firefighter may be equipped with
flashing white headlights and blue grill lights, which may be used only
in responding to an emergency call.
(d) The use of a combination of amber and white oscillating,
rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is
prohibited, except motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois,
local authorities and contractors may be so equipped; furthermore, such
lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in
highway maintenance or construction operations within the limits of
highway construction projects.
(e) All oscillating, rotating or flashing lights referred to in
this Section shall be of sufficient intensity, when illuminated, to be
visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer of
oscillating, rotating or flashing lights or his representative from
temporarily mounting such lights on a vehicle for demonstration purposes
only.
(g) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (a), (b),
(c) or (d) of this Section who without lawful authority stops or detains
or attempts to stop or detain another person shall be guilty of a Class
4 felony.
(h) Except as provided in subsection (g) above, any person
violating the provisions of subsections (a) or (c) of this Section shall
be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 92-138, eff. 7-24-01; 92-407, eff.
8-17-01; 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)
(625 ILCS 5/12-215)
(Text of Section from P.A. 92-651)
Sec. 12-215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor
vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing
lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or local
authorities;
2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county coroner
and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a
law enforcement vehicle; however, such designation or authorization
must be carried in the vehicle;
3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or federal
firefighting vehicles;
4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively as
ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be
lighted except when responding to an emergency call for and while
actually conveying the sick or injured;
5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such lights;
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on any such tow truck
while the tow truck is operating in the State of Illinois; and
6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and
vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety.
(b) The use of amber oscillating, rotating or flashing lights,
whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Second division vehicles designed and used for towing or
hoisting vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted
except as required in this paragraph 1; such lights shall be lighted
when such vehicles are actually being used at the scene of an
accident or disablement; if the towing vehicle is equipped with a
flat bed that supports all wheels of the vehicle being transported,
the lights shall not be lighted while the vehicle is engaged in
towing on a highway; if the towing vehicle is not equipped with a
flat bed that supports all wheels of a vehicle being transported,
the lights shall be lighted while the towing vehicle is engaged in
towing on a highway during all times when the use of headlights is
required under Section 12-201 of this Code;
2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois, local
authorities and contractors; furthermore, such lights shall not be
lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance or
construction operations within the limits of construction projects;
3. Vehicles or equipment used by engineering or survey crews;
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such
vehicles are actually engaged in work on a highway;
4. Vehicles of public utilities, municipalities, or other
construction, maintenance or automotive service vehicles except that
such lights shall be lighted only as a means for indicating the
presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in
approaching, overtaking or passing while such vehicles are engaged
in maintenance, service or construction on a highway;
5. Oversized vehicle or load; however, such lights shall only
be lighted when moving under permit issued by the Department under
Section 15-301 of this Code;
6. The front and rear of motorized equipment owned and
operated by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision
thereof, which is designed and used for removal of snow and ice from
highways;
7. Fleet safety vehicles registered in another state,
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as provided for
in Section 12-212 of this Code;
8. Such other vehicles as may be authorized by local
authorities;
9. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local authorities when
used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing
lights;
10. Vehicles used for collecting or delivering mail for the
United States Postal Service provided that such lights shall not be
lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such
purposes;
11. Any vehicle displaying a slow-moving vehicle emblem as
provided in Section 12-205.1;
12. All trucks equipped with self-compactors or roll-off
hoists and roll-on containers for garbage or refuse hauling. Such
lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually
being used for such purposes;
13. Vehicles used by a security company, alarm responder, or
control agency, if the security company, alarm responder, or control
agency is bound by a contract with a federal, State, or local
government entity to use the lights; and
14. Security vehicles of the Department of Human Services;
however, the lights shall not be lighted except when being used for
security related purposes under the direction of the superintendent
of the facility where the vehicle is located.
(c) The use of blue oscillating, rotating or flashing lights,
whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Rescue squad vehicles not owned by a fire department and
vehicles owned or fully operated by a:
voluntary firefighter;
paid firefighter;
part-paid firefighter;
call firefighter;
member of the board of trustees of a fire protection
district;
paid or unpaid member of a rescue squad; or
paid or unpaid member of a voluntary ambulance unit.
However, such lights are not to be lighted except when
responding to a bona fide emergency.
2. Police department vehicles in cities having a population of
500,000 or more inhabitants.
3. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local authorities when
used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing
lights.
4. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or federal
firefighting vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating,
rotating or flashing lights.
5. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively as
ambulances or rescue vehicles when used in combination with red
oscillating, rotating or flashing lights; furthermore, such lights
shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call.
6. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as organ
transport vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating,
rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall only
be lighted when the transportation is declared an emergency by a
member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ
procurement organization.
7. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and
vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety, when used in
combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
(c-1) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing
lights permitted under subsection (c), and notwithstanding subsection
(a), a vehicle operated by a voluntary firefighter may be equipped with
flashing white headlights and blue grill lights, which may be used only
in responding to an emergency call.
(d) The use of a combination of amber and white oscillating,
rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is
prohibited, except motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois,
local authorities and contractors may be so equipped; furthermore, such
lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in
highway maintenance or construction operations within the limits of
highway construction projects.
(e) All oscillating, rotating or flashing lights referred to in
this Section shall be of sufficient intensity, when illuminated, to be
visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer of
oscillating, rotating or flashing lights or his representative from
temporarily mounting such lights on a vehicle for demonstration purposes
only.
(g) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (a), (b),
(c) or (d) of this Section who without lawful authority stops or detains
or attempts to stop or detain another person shall be guilty of a Class
4 felony.
(h) Except as provided in subsection (g) above, any person
violating the provisions of subsections (a) or (c) of this Section shall
be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 92-138, eff. 7-24-01; 92-407, eff.
8-17-01; 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)
10-08-2003 | 05:53 PM
#48
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fort Irwin Southern California
I'm with mooch on this one. Afropuff apologized for the comment and that should have been it. I really don’t see what’s wrong with using the term pig anyway.
USMC= Jarheads
Army= GI's
Air force= flyboys
Navy(well I don’t need to say anything there, that one is a little offensive)
Firemen= crazy as hell
Cops= pig's .
I don’t mean to offend anyone with this post but if I do call me a GI and we'll be even. I have a lot of respect for what you guy's do and I’m sure that your big enough to let a little 3 letter word like pig roll right off your back.BTW I’m a former PIG.....oink.....
USMC= Jarheads
Army= GI's
Air force= flyboys
Navy(well I don’t need to say anything there, that one is a little offensive)
Firemen= crazy as hell
Cops= pig's .
I don’t mean to offend anyone with this post but if I do call me a GI and we'll be even. I have a lot of respect for what you guy's do and I’m sure that your big enough to let a little 3 letter word like pig roll right off your back.BTW I’m a former PIG.....oink.....
10-09-2003 | 07:17 AM
#49
hawkdirver, whats offensive about 'squid'? I was one for 10 years 
zand02max, aren't you the military guy who was bragging about an mp wanting to race you? Pretty mature for a wanna be cop.
zand02max, aren't you the military guy who was bragging about an mp wanting to race you? Pretty mature for a wanna be cop.
10-12-2003 | 03:50 PM
#51
Originally posted by 2003z
hawkdirver, whats offensive about 'squid'? I was one for 10 years
zand02max, aren't you the military guy who was bragging about an mp wanting to race you? Pretty mature for a wanna be cop.
hawkdirver, whats offensive about 'squid'? I was one for 10 years
zand02max, aren't you the military guy who was bragging about an mp wanting to race you? Pretty mature for a wanna be cop.
The person that wanted to race the SP (not an MP) was Jessenlgish not me.
So before you post get your facts together. NUF SAID!
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