Legal/Illegal in California

[dig]

What's up board. I just finished reading posts on an old topic here and thought I would ressurect it. I am in California, and as mentioned before, they are pretty strict about the VC when it comes to lights/sirens. However, on that note, they're pretty generic and loose when it comes to the VC itself. For instance, "No person shall display a flashing or steady burning red warning light on a vehicle except as permitted by Section 21055 or when an extreme hazard exists." So, if I encounter an "extreme hazard" I can turn on my red Whelen Talon?

"No person shall display a flashing amber warning light on a
vehicle as permitted by this code except when an unusual traffic
hazard exists." So, if someone's weaving, I wcan turn on my traffic advisor?

I started installing in HS as a hobby, I still really enjoy it. I have been hassled a few times by locals, and chippies. My conclusion is, they really need to bone up on the law. I now carry a laminated copy of applicable codes in my wallet, and if I'm ever told that what I have is illegal, I politely show them the card and quite frankly, they seem dumbfounded.

I'm not bashing law enforcement AT ALL. They do their job just like the rest of us. However, I do have a funny story that really goes to show that so many of those who enforce the law are all on different pages.

My senior year in HS, my buddy and I installed a Whelen HF295 siren in his '95 dodge ram. Of course, we went right out and pulled people over with that, along with some homemade wig-wags and a steady burning red. Stupid? Yes. A little dangerous? Of course. But, I was 17 and I guess I could have been out doing worse things.

Anyway, we're rolling on a country road, and blow right past a county sheriff. I think we said the F word a few times when we saw him, but in the rear view we were stunned to see him just sitting there. There was a brief sigh of relief, and then his lightbar fired up. F word a couple more times. So, we pull over and after he runs the plates, he comes up to the door and had the biggest WTF look on his face I've ever seen. He had us demonstrate the equip to him. We complied. He issued a speeding ticket, and then proceeded to take a wrench and wire cutters and remove the siren, the speaker, and the wig-wag assembly. It was my buddies truck, and he was required to show up for court. When he did, the judge was so incredibly upset that the officer took the equipment out of the truck, that he waived the speeding ticket and demanded that the equipment be returned.

Turns out that the siren was damaged when it was removed and in one of the most ironical occurences I've ever been a part of, the county purchases him a new siren controller. One of the things I find most interesting about this whole thing, is that the judge said that "he could have the siren installed, but could not use it". Clearly, the VC states otherwise, but back to my statement that this violation occurs so infrequently, officials are unsure of the law reagarding it.

Food for thought.......

[pmoore40]

What the hell happened to this board?

[dig]

What the hell happened to this board?

I don't know. In the 2 months you've been a member, could all that much have changed?

[Threeshot223]

Looks like you found a judge who did not know the law, or was perhaps upset that the deputy involved dared to usurp his/her power as a traffic judge and enforce the law in his own way.

Personally, I'd have jailed your ass for impersonation. You freely admit that you've impersonated an LEO before, and now you come here to, it seems, brag about it. Smart move, dummy. I would like to know, though- where do you live that people will pull over for any vehicle displaying the proper lights? I almost think you're full of it, but then you said that you're 17, so I can believe that you would do something so incredibly stupid.

From what I've read of the CVC, simply having the light is illegal. It need not be on, just visible. Maybe you can be like that one wannabe guy in the Deep South who pulled over an off-duty cop and get slammed in jail- better get used to the butt-rape.

[Pj]

Ok, before this really gets out of hand quickley, I am going to lock it for now. I will give everyone the benefit of the doubt since both are basically new. If this is a true continuation of one of the many previous threads on lights/sirens etc, please post it in that thread.

DIG: As an FYI, there have been many many many threads on this subject and frankly, most people are sick of them. Granted you may or may not have seen them, but for now, we can give this and that topic a rest.

Pj

*If you would like to contiue this on, please PM me, thanks*

**Ok, if I can remmeber how to lock this, I will Until then, I ask that everyone refrain from posting in this thread...thanks!

[Cowboy]

THREAD LOCKED
Got er handled Pj...





THREAD LOCKED

[007]

Sorry PJ, but I'm feeling a need...I'll keep it clean.

Dig-

A) Why did you feel a need to post that you are a police impersonator? Did you not see that this board isn't full of wackers like yourself?

B) Possession or useage of that equipment is prohibited by CVC. Period.

C) Do you know "Code 3 Response" from this board?

D) Go away, please...we don't need another wannabe here.

LOCKED

LOCKED

[jedi_saber]

As a matter of fact, my agency backed up a local pd on a stop that we happened to roll up on and just jacked up some wannabe teenage kid that had lights on his dash.
That kid is in deep booboo... but frankly, I welcome you to freely carry on...because sooner or later you'll get jacked up and won't have credentials.
I think I speak for all of us in public safety in stressing that there is more behind lights and sirens (of course you need to be affiliated, legit first)... such as hours of training, both in-class and practice...

Oh well, just had to chime in...A topic that just doesn't want to die!

[spareparts]

Last fall I was moving a friends POV with a blue bar (In NJ blue is volunteer FD) to his parents house in MD while he is deployed

He had a out of service cover from Galls, which I made sure was strapped on. Little did I know the cover blew off somewhere in MD.

I found out when a local officer in Columbia, MD pulled me over. After running the plate & my DL, He helped me cover the bar with a bed sheet held on by cable ties.

He explained that there was a police impersonator in the Howard county area and they were actively looking for him.

Have to say he was one of the most professional LEO I have met.

Martin

[jedi_saber]

Yeah, MD has had problems with that... It comes as no surprise that PG county has a ton of impersonators...

I thought that MD law provided a reciprocity clause, i.e. if your emergency lighting is certified in another state, they will honor your possession/installation as long as you dont use it inappropriately.

[SlimBob]

Reciprocity is a good idea, but I don't really see that as flying. Alabama's limits of permissability are different than TN. In AL, I can put strobes all around, white or amber lights on top, wig-wags, and an airhorn, but I know for a fact that wig-wags are illegal in TN.

Otherwise, he said he *was* a wacker. As in hopefully moved on to other things.

[KitN1MCC]

i would like to see some more pics of locks

[dig]

Man, you guys get worked up. First, I did this when I was 17. That's half my life ago. Maybe I didn't make that clear. Second, The CA law is pretty clear on the fact that you can have a red light, just NOT A RED LENS facing forward. I have had my vehicle unofficially inspected by the CHP (at a substation), my father is retired from the CHP, and I have several friends in LE. I do not run around like a moron with lights flashing trying to pull people over. I do work for the dept. of forestry, however since I do not have an auth. emerg. vehicle permit, I do not use the lights on public property. If you all think that's a waste of money, so be it...It wasn't your money. Maybe I came off like a poser, but I'm a pretty laid back guy who likes installing pretty much anything. Sorry if I ruffled anyone's feathers.

[EOppegaard]

Can we lock this please

[Monty]

Hello:

In the Spirit of the forum and since it
has apparently been covered time and
again.

Thread is locked

Please move onto more productive issues

Monty