Light Bar Law how does it affect interior mounted light bar?

[SargeRubi]

I just installed the Quadratec Stealth light bar which is and interior mounted light. I like in RI and Ive seen people with exterior light bars that are not covered. I have no way of covering my light bar nor do I believe the law requires it. The law is very vague and not sure how it relates to what I have. It looks like police lights because you can see them from the outside hiding on the top of the windshield when its off, which is cool. Is this something I can get pulled over for if its not on?

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[engineXI]

got a link to the statute?

 

[SargeRubi]

got a link to the statute?

This is all I could find

§ 31-24-28. Maximum number of lamps lighted.

Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as required by this chapter is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front of it projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred (300) candle power, not more than a total of four (4) of the lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, § 24; G.L. 1956, § 31-24-28; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 121.)


§ 31-24-49. Approval of lighting equipment required.

No person shall have for sale, sell, or offer for sale for use upon or as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer or use upon any such vehicle any head lamp, auxiliary or fog lamp, rear lamp, signal lamp, or reflector which reflector is required by this chapter or parts of any of these which tend to change the original design or performance, unless of a type which has been submitted to and approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

(b) The administrator shall approve a flashing amber light configuration for use in funeral processions.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, § 27; P.L. 1954, ch. 3291, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-24-49; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 121; P.L. 2003, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 436, § 1.)



This is the link for all light laws in the state which I got the above form but nothing about inner mounted auxiliary lights and them being visible when off.

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-24/INDEX.HTM

 

[Rico1111]

I just installed the Quadratec Stealth light bar which is and interior mounted light. I like in RI and Ive seen people with exterior light bars that are not covered. I have no way of covering my light bar nor do I believe the law requires it. The law is very vague and not sure how it relates to what I have. It looks like police lights because you can see them from the outside hiding on the top of the windshield when its off, which is cool. Is this something I can get pulled over for if its not on?

Nope ...I am RI also and have had it on for 2 years I think and no problem at all from local law enforcement.

 

[Rico1111]

As with all lights ...they can only be used in off road situations ...meaning you will get stopped if you are using them on the highway! Although the last really crazy snow storm we had I had used them when commuting to work in mass on the highway using the amber in order to see ahead of me...the led OEM headlights seem to make any snow storm seem like a psychedelic trance!

 

[Rico1111]

Nick ...just a heads up. If you have to get your windshield replaced (which I have three times) I would suggest that who ever does it leave the light bar loose until the rubber sealant around windshield has dried (72 hours) then tighten it back up. I learned the hard way after safelight replaced a windshield that by re tightening the lightbar was putting pressure on the windshield and unseating the glue wich in turn lead to water ingress in the front floor mats. Just an FYI

 

[engineXI]

This is all I could find

§ 31-24-28. Maximum number of lamps lighted.

Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as required by this chapter is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front of it projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred (300) candle power, not more than a total of four (4) of the lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

This part seems pretty clear. It doesn't specify where the lights are located, such as interior or exterior, just simply that if you have auxiliary lights pointing in the front that are more than 300nits you need to limit the total (front facing) lights to 4.
It is interesting because if you have 2 headlights, 2 fog lights, and 2 fender lights (such as 2018+ rubicon) then you already have 6 lights. I guess that means you cannot use auxiliary lights.
I expect that if a police sees you, they will pull you over if you are running those lights.

 

[SargeRubi]

Nick ...just a heads up. If you have to get your windshield replaced (which I have three times) I would suggest that who ever does it leave the light bar loose until the rubber sealant around windshield has dried (72 hours) then tighten it back up. I learned the hard way after safelight replaced a windshield that by re tightening the lightbar was putting pressure on the windshield and unseating the glue wich in turn lead to water ingress in the front floor mats. Just an FYI

Hey thank you so much for your input. I appreciate it alot. Maybe I will see you on the road and wave.

 

[AVGeek99]

This part seems pretty clear. It doesn't specify where the lights are located, such as interior or exterior, just simply that if you have auxiliary lights pointing in the front that are more than 300nits you need to limit the total (front facing) lights to 4.
It is interesting because if you have 2 headlights, 2 fog lights, and 2 fender lights (such as 2018+ rubicon) then you already have 6 lights. I guess that means you cannot use auxiliary lights.
I expect that if a police sees you, they will pull you over if you are running those lights.

But the statute clearly states the limits only apply "when upon the highway". So it doesn't apply offroad, which is the intended use of a lightbar. As Rico says if you use them on the highway you will likely be pulled over in most cases, which makes perfect sense.

 

[SargeRubi]

I wont be using it on the highway. My concern was the way they looked hidden behind the windshield. I dont want to be accused of impersonating a cop or anything thats all.

 

[Dave928]

cops aren't going to care about how many lights you have that aren't on.

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