Amber fog lights illegal?

I got written a ticket for my DD amber fog lights. He said anything other than white is illegal. Anyone heard of such a thing?

 

What state do you live in?

 

was it any other front facing light that's not a turn signal?

I guess depending by state? Did you have them on when not needed?

 

Curious how bright and in in the face of oncoming traffic. Which fogs?

 

Much has probably changed since I was a motor carrier enforcement officer but white and yellow (amber) are legal fog light colors. Not sure which state you live in but I don't know of any that I've been in or around that differ on that. Now, if you had them mounted up high and the officer made the argument that they aren't fog lights in that position there is a height over which that might be true.

So where are they mounted?

There also aren't or weren't statues that say you can only run fogs in fog, if so the officers would run out of ink since many never turn them off. But if they were up high and aimed incorrectly blinding oncoming traffic the case could be made you weren't running fogs and driving lights aren't technically legal in yellow. Hence no SAE marked yellow driving lenses from DD.

If in a proper fog location and aimed facing slightly down like they are supposed to be you should be perfectly legal. If you pissed the cop off for some reason this seems like it might be punitive.

If yellow fogs were illegal, reputable manufactures wouldn't be selling them, just like reputable manufactures quit selling LED replacement bulbs when that became a no no in headlights.

I've yet to be flashed once by motorists or an oncoming trooper turn around because of my Max yellow fogs.

 

Our state only really cares about the height and spacing. Most intense part of the beam can't hit the windshield or rear window.

 

Mmm...in Texas a cop gave a friend and I a ticket for shining a green light outside my car onto a friend on the side walk. Then her superior went ahead told me the law "only red, blue and white lights are illegal" (paraphrased). So he said, you didn't break any laws, just tell the judge that and you'll get off free. Then the chief came in and said "damn it, her again (referring to the cop that ticketed us), you boys are free to go, I'll dismiss these for you."

 

1st- what state are you in?

2nd- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-571/subpart-B/section-571.108

Scroll down to view the tables. Table 1A used to, as I recall, list fog lamps, and the legal color was white or selective yellow. It no longer (or at least as far as this version) appears to list fog lamps at all in the tables.

SAE J583 is the SAE standard for fog lamps, which is the applicable legal standard ("incorporated by reference," is I believe the term) and J583 allows white or selective yellow.

I'll look more into this if you can provide your state.

Edit:

- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-...subchapter-B/part-393/subpart-A/section-393.7

Both SAE J581 (aux. Upper beam light) and J583 (fog lamps) are incorporated by reference under federal motorcarrier standards. Subsection 393.7(B)(2) for J583

- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-...part-393/subpart-B/section-393.24#p-393.24(b)

As relates to commercial vehicles being equipped with fog lamps and auxiliary high beams.

I need to take another look to see what has happened to the applicability of fog lamps and these standards as regards passenger vehicles.

 

Oklahoma

 

What were the weather conditions like? I know the officer is completely wrong because there are a ton of vehicles that come with amber/yellow fog lights from the factory.

 

Should not matter. Fog lights are a low beam, no law I know of or have heard of that says you can only use them in adverse conditions. I mean no disrespect to the OP but this sounds like you ticked the officer off. Any chance you were running Bambi mode?

 

Bored suburban cops...

 

http://ok.elaws.us/os/47-12-217

This link has no indications of any color standards. Still digging.

Edit:
Screenshot of the same section right out of a PDF downloaded at this link:

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/dps/docs/vcb-10_2018.pdf

 

Again, no mention of any legal standard that constitutes what a fog lamp is, nor any on color in this section. Does Oklahoma have vehicle inspections? Is there a separate inspection code he may have been referencing? PA for example has pretty significant differences between the inspection manual and the state regulations for a nunber of things (headlamps and damaged windshields in particular) and in court it's the inspection manual that bears the weight.

 

If got a ticket or warning the statute number will be on it. What is the code?

 

Op of you got a ticket what is the vehicle code on the ticket???

 

Worse yet, University cops.

 

Was this part of other infractions?

In BC, fogs are only permissible when conditions dictate however there is little to no enforcement. Unless they are horribly adjusted and blinding other drivers the only time someone would be cited would be as an attitude adjustment as part of another matter.

The same applies to uncovered off-road lights in rural areas. They won't be the reason for being stopped, but could be something added in as an attitude adjustment.

 

If they are "ditch lights", then it is illegal and I'm pretty sure that goes for any state. Just like you're not supposed to drive around with the "light bar" that is mounted up top of the cab.

 

I got a warning with "ditch style " (block) foglights from a CHP. They were also amber. " As long if they were unplugged or have a covered " I'm good.