ticket for driving lights

[02GTRX]

Yup thats right. I got a ticket last night for driving with my driving lights on. apperantly they are illegal unless theres fog.

 

[DarkFireGT]

I'd go to court on that one. That's the way Ford sold the car. They called them Fog lights and they did not specify off road use only. They DOT approved the design.

 

[02GTRX]

Technically they are not considered fog lights. in order for a light to be a fog light it has to be placed under the headlights to under cut the fog. What we have is driving lights used for when driving I explained this to the officer and thats wen he said well u can pay the 60dollar fine or go to court and I replied with ok ill c u in court. Ur absolutly right though the car came with the lights from the factory and they are what they are I cant dim my low beams any lower than low. Im goin to make that cop look totally ignorant infront of the judge

 

[DarkFireGT]

Well someone had better explain that to Ford, then. My window sticker says "Front Fog Lamps". Hell, there you go. Take your window sticker, or a Mustang brochure in with you.

Also, From PIAA's website:

What is the difference between a fog light & a driving light?
Fog lights provide illumination forward of the vehicle that enhances visibility in fog, rain, snow, or dust. Fog lights are intended to be used in conjunction with standard headlamp low beams. Driving lights are mounted to provide illumination forward of the vehicle and intended to supplement the high beam of a standard headlamp system. It is not intended for use alone or with the low beam of a standard headlamp system.

So according to PIAA, we have fog lights. If these were driving lights, they would turn on with the brights, not off. Just more info you can take with you.

 

[AquaTeen2004]

wow thats crapola

 

[bronco78]

What state? What statute were your written up for violating?

 

[Art161]

You need to read the citation and ascertain which section(s) of the vehicle code you are accused of violating. Then you need to read that section of the vehicle code.

I do not know in which state you were cited. In California, you are permitted to use foglamps only if you are also using low beams. You are not permitted to use foglamps with just parking lights, nor are you permitted to use foglamps with high beams. There are specifications as to the height above ground for foglamps, as well as aiming requirements. I am not aware of any times when it is illegal to use foglamps, as long as you are also using the low beams. Again, this is California. Check the rules for your state!!!

When you have read the pertinent section(s) of the vehicle code, then you are in a position to present the court with the material from Ford that says these are foglamps. You could also take photographs of the foglamps and a tape measure showing how high off the ground the foglamps are located, if applicable in your state.

The police are professionals in giving court testimony. That does not mean that they are always right. It does mean you better be prepared and make a good impression on the court.

 

[02GTRX]

The volation is as reads Violation HL & Spotlight w/glaring beam. Statute 66-3-831B. essential facts Driver failed to dim high beams when given the signal to do so. This is in New Mexico

 

[jcsuli74]

if you had your high beams on then the fog lights would not have been on (therefore how can you get a ticket if your high beams were not on?), unless you bypassed it. they only lights are only on when the low beams are on. i get people flashing their lights at me all the time thinking i have my brights on. back in the day yeah all four lights would be on, but that hasnt been the case in years.

 

[blacksheep06]

if you had your high beams on then the fog lights would not have been on (therefore how can you get a ticket if your high beams were not on?), unless you bypassed it. they only lights are only on when the low beams are on. i get people flashing their lights at me all the time thinking i have my brights on. back in the day yeah all four lights would be on, but that hasnt been the case in years.

I got flashed ALL the time before I put the fog light smoked covers on and haven't been flashed since. I don't think people are remembering the 4 headlamp days at all. With all 4 lights on they are a little too bright IMO based on the s197 GT's that I've met at night.

I've been flashed at least 2 dozen times prior to the fog light covers.

 

[metroplex]

While driving my 00 Vic, I've come across a few S197 GTs at night with the fog lamps and headlamps on. They're not annoying at all. I find the OEM HIDs on Buick Rendeznzdfdsfvoussss and other GM SUVs to be SIGNIFICANTLY more annoying.

FWIW, I've had LEOs flash their spotlights at me while driving the Stang with the foglamps on. I think they assume that the foglamps are high beams or auxiliary driving lamps.

 

[Art161]

First of all, I am not a lawyer, so don't take this as legal advice. It is just information I picked up from looking up the New Mexico statutes on the Web.

You were cited for violating 66-3-831B, which says that the lowermost distribution of light specified in Section 66-3-830B NMSA 1978 shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.

66-3-830B says that there shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading one of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.

Now let's go to 66-3-827B, which says that any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twelve inches nor more than thirty inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed, when the vehicle is not loaded, that none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall, at a distance of twenty-five feet ahead, project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the above requirements may be used with lower headlamp beams as specified in Section 66-3-830B NMSA 1978.

Note particularly the last sentence of the preceding paragraph.

I think you were operating legally if you were using the stock fog lamps with the lower headlamp beams.

Good luck, and please let us know the result of your court case.

 

[stangdude2000]

If it is illegal to use the lights at any point in time, Ford would not have been allowed to put them on the vehicle. Assuming they are factory stock, there is ABSOLUTELY no way you can be ticketed legally. They are DOT approved and that means you can use them on the streets. I would be writing a letter of complaint to the ticketing officer's supervisor if I were you.

 

[Svtpilot]

The volation is as reads Violation HL & Spotlight w/glaring beam. Statute 66-3-831B. essential facts Driver failed to dim high beams when given the signal to do so. This is in New Mexico

Well if this is what he wrote on the ticket then apparently the officer is under the mistaken impression that the Mustang has a 4 light system and the Fog/Driving Lights are the highbeams. So it should just be a matter of having the officer verify in front of the judge that you were cited for driving with highbeams on not fog or driving lights and by" highbeams"he meant the lights in the grille. Then provide proof such as your owners manual that they are in fact not the highbeams and you should be fine. One word of advice if you go in there trying to make the cop look stupid in front of the Judge there is a good chance it will not go your way. Just present your facts in a courteous manner. Good luck.

 

[kooldawg6]

You will easily beat this in court if you just act calm and collected and have all the evidence with you. If you really look when you turn the fogs on at night, they really only light up the 20 or so feet directly in front of the car for fill light(exactly what fog lights do)as they are angled slightly down. Here in VA late '06 /early '07 they passed a law allowing a vehicle to have 6 front lights exposed and available to use at any time due to the Roush Mustangs having the two OEM headlights, two OEM grill mounted fog lights and the additional Roush installed lower lights.

 

[02GTRX]

Thanks for all the useful info guys. Im taking 3 separate pictures of my low, high, and low with fog lights on to present to the judge and also pointing out the fact as stated in section 66-3-830b mentioned by art161 that basically says any dot approved lighting system can be legally used. I have stock fogs and bulbs. Im off work at 8am so ill be goin to court shortly after, ill keep you guys posted on the outcome.

 

[kooldawg6]

 

[AquaTeen2004]

guess it didnt go well.

 

[05xgt]

I had a similar sit in Houston. I demanded a Jury trial not just to make the cop look like an idiot before the judge, but in front of an entire court. He will think twice before issuing another one like that. Also don't be intimidated with comments like "well if you do that you'll be marked" BS!!! Once harassment charges are brought about, chances are so will Dept tranfers, as well as disiplinary action which when it comes to promotion time all files are reviewed. This is from exp. STOP BEING SHEEP!!!!! Fight back using the same law system.

 

[02GTRX]

Have my 2nd court date tomorow...well actually today at 9am. ill post the outcome afterwards.