Flashing blue lights

[GreenV8S]

Now of course I'm a model citizen and never drive over 69.6 mph (cos that would be dangerous) but I still try to pay attention to what's around me especially if I see a jam jar or flashing blues lights. Over the last couple of years these HID lights have got a lot more popular and it is now common to see daylight running lights on cars behind me flash blue as cars go over dips and things. It is almost identical to the blue strobe of an emergency vehicle. I'm sure I'm not the only person getting 'desensitised' to blue lights, do the traffic police have a view on this John? Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[Nightmare]

I do - its bl**dy horrible...you're driving along, at that very correctly indicated 69.9 and suddenely see blue lights flashing behind you....very unfair, my poor heart just won't cope much longer. All Police cars should have flashing red lights anyway, cos they look that much more sinister.....

[Leadfoot]

I lived in Taiwan a few years ago.The plod there drove yank style black & whites, with the red & blue roof lights on all the time - very civilised. Plenty of speed traps tho', never stoped you - just an 80$ fine in the post with a nice piccy of the car (& no points on the licence, that we didn't have....ahhemmm)

[john robson]

The 'projector lens' type headlights are legal providing they are 'E' marked (which they obviously are on all cars bought here) the blue tinted headlamp bulbs are also legal providing they are 'E' marked and of the correct wattage. So there is not much that can be done about them but I do see the problem. The little 21w blue/red/green etc bulbs people seem to be fitting in side lights these days are not legal for sidelights they have to be clear to comply, and before anyone mentions it I do issue tickets to anyone I find using them. Here's why , if you come up behind anyone with your blue sidelights, they may mistake you for a cop car, not a problem you may think, until that is they slam on the anchors to let you past, poor unsuspecting poser with blue sidelights not expecting this then disapears up exhaust pipe of concientious observant driver, Hope you agree with me but I will wait and see the response. Edited by john robson on Sunday 15th April 22:36

[Marshy]

Legalities aside, coloured sidelights are just soooo 17-year-old-in-a-nova-with-coloured-wiper-boots. I mean /honestly/... Edited by Marshy on Monday 16th April 01:41

[dubbs]

I remember hacking on home from work down the A102M on my old ZXR and catching the "blue" lights from a xenon-equipeed Alfa in my mirrors. Lump in my throat, I duly pulled over onto the hard shoulder only to see the car go zooming past. Didn't I feel a prat!!! I think it's good you pull over the green/blue sidelit Nova/escort brigade as it's dangerous... What's the maximum fine for this as opposed to incorrectly spacing a numberplate John? P.S NOT STARTING THE SPACING DEBATE AGAIN!!! Just interested in what the max penalty for this dangerous offence is in comparison to the relatively minor numberplate one...

[graham]

Your not alone with the seeing flashing blue lights behind you and pulling over gag, thats caught me out as well, and you right about the sudden increase in heart rate.... Its The HID lights that are to blame though, the coloured side lights dont flash they stay a solid colour, its the HID lights that change colour at different viewing angles and appear to flash.. It really puts the wind up you when its a Police motorway cruiser doing this behind you.... John has hit the nail on the head with how dangerous this is. i see a flashing blue light and slow down and whack someone is rearanging my boot.... nice

[john robson]

It's a £30 fixed penalty, if they go not guilty it can go up at the discretion of the magistrates and costs go on top but you would be unlucky if it were much over £100. As with all of theses offences if you are not sure phone your local traffic unit, we all welcome people asking advice, we are not ba$%*!ds all the time

[dubbs]

£30 fixed penalty for a potentially very dangerous "modification" to your car. Illegally spaced numberplate = possible confiscation of plate and £1000 fine. Now where does that make sense....?!?! Don't the Police have ANY say in these ridiculously unequal offence/penalty regulations? Or are the top bods just as anally retentive and out of touch as the politicians. Also, is it just where I'm getting older/ more aware of the world or is it that the government are getting more and more greedy heavily penalising anything that's a common offence to bump up their coffers?

[Graham and Rosie]

The government would probably reply saying the "more common offenses" need a higher penalty as the lower one obviously wasn't enough of a deterent If you can splash out a few hundred on a number plate then a £30 fine is naff all, if however, you had to save for 2 weeks to buy a couple of £1.15 coloured bulbs, then £30 is a big wack! ================ Graham and Rosie