amber brake lights
#11
10-22-2014 | 04:43 PM
#13
10-22-2014 | 10:39 PM
I understand on the rear supposed to be red for brake and running lights, turn signals can be red or yellow. Brake and running are not supposed to be yellow. I read that some place related to DOT requirements.
The front supposed to be Yellow for signals and running, or white. Sides are yellow running lights if I remember correctly.
The front supposed to be Yellow for signals and running, or white. Sides are yellow running lights if I remember correctly.
#14
10-22-2014 | 10:46 PM
#15
10-22-2014 | 11:28 PM
It depends on your state's laws ... Here's the Maryland Code. You can probably find your states code online.
MD Transp Code § 22-219 (2013)
I put the module in and left the turn signals amber. My logic is: (1) Drivers are used to seeing red and that meaning stop. When I brake, they get red from the tail light but they also see amber from the turn signals lighting up. I think this might get a little more attention because it is unusual. Extra attention is good and they know I am stopping because of the brake light. (2) For the turn signals, I do not want it to be unusual because I want them to know exactly what I am about to do without them having to think about it - my amber turn signals mean exactly what the driver thinks they mean. I'd rather they not be red and, just maybe, the driver thinks I am only slowing down in my lane.
I don't have hard facts to back this all up, but it makes sense to me and it's legal in my state. I tucked a copy of the MD code citation in my registration folder just in case I get stopped while out of state. Hasn't happened yet.
Here's another tidbit ... in Maryland, motorcycles aren't even required to have turn signals.
MD Transp Code § 22-219 (2013)
(a) Any vehicle may be equipped with and, when required under the Maryland Vehicle Law, shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle, which:
(c) The lamps showing to the front ... shall emit white or amber light, or any shade of light between white and amber.
(d) The lamps showing to the rear ... shall emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber.
(h) Turn signal lamps may, but need not, be incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.
Those are the rules. Next thing is deciding what you want to do.- Shall display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber ...
- May, but need not, be incorporated with one or more other rear lamps.
(c) The lamps showing to the front ... shall emit white or amber light, or any shade of light between white and amber.
(d) The lamps showing to the rear ... shall emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber.
(h) Turn signal lamps may, but need not, be incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.
I put the module in and left the turn signals amber. My logic is: (1) Drivers are used to seeing red and that meaning stop. When I brake, they get red from the tail light but they also see amber from the turn signals lighting up. I think this might get a little more attention because it is unusual. Extra attention is good and they know I am stopping because of the brake light. (2) For the turn signals, I do not want it to be unusual because I want them to know exactly what I am about to do without them having to think about it - my amber turn signals mean exactly what the driver thinks they mean. I'd rather they not be red and, just maybe, the driver thinks I am only slowing down in my lane.
I don't have hard facts to back this all up, but it makes sense to me and it's legal in my state. I tucked a copy of the MD code citation in my registration folder just in case I get stopped while out of state. Hasn't happened yet.
Here's another tidbit ... in Maryland, motorcycles aren't even required to have turn signals.
#16
10-23-2014 | 05:11 AM
HDF Community Team
If you really wish to beat your brains out over this issue, this is the national standard for motor vehicle illumination: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-200...sec571-108.pdf
In a simple nut shell, brake lights have to be red. You have a red brake light. You also have amber brake lights. Those are not legal. But, since you have a red center brake light, it's very unlikely you'll ever have a hassle over it.
Side bonus, if you actually read this federal standard, you'll find the requirements for headlight flashers/modulators. Then you'll know that one too.
In a simple nut shell, brake lights have to be red. You have a red brake light. You also have amber brake lights. Those are not legal. But, since you have a red center brake light, it's very unlikely you'll ever have a hassle over it.
Side bonus, if you actually read this federal standard, you'll find the requirements for headlight flashers/modulators. Then you'll know that one too.
#17
10-23-2014 | 08:31 AM
Road Master
On my CVO Road King I have the smoked visor lenses both front and rear with run turn brake module. The rear bulbs are red. (jp cycles) could not find them at any parts store. Did not want to put the red lenses on the back. To make the lenses appear darker than they really are I painted the inside reflective area of the turn signals (front and rear) a darker gray color with a small artists brush. Gives the signals a blacked out look, but the bulbs show up nice and bright when they are in use. Have done this to the last couple of bikes and always get asked where I got the blacked out lenses.
#18
10-23-2014 | 08:57 AM
Extreme HDF Member
#19
10-23-2014 | 02:49 PM
Even if you live in a state that allows amber stops (as Md apparently does) you are at risk of a driver getting sympathy from a cop, jury, or insurance company because you did not have red brake lights. I believe virtually every driver on US roads would say brake lights are red. That makes this a bad idea.
The rest of the answer is doubt amber brake lights are as effectice as red at keeping you safe. But I may be pretty sensitive to this -- since my bro got rear-ended and injured. I use a BAL set on bright. Works great.
#20
10-23-2014 | 04:54 PM
It depends on your state's laws ... Here's the Maryland Code. You can probably find your states code online.
MD Transp Code § 22-219 (2013)
I put the module in and left the turn signals amber. My logic is: (1) Drivers are used to seeing red and that meaning stop. When I brake, they get red from the tail light but they also see amber from the turn signals lighting up. I think this might get a little more attention because it is unusual. Extra attention is good and they know I am stopping because of the brake light. (2) For the turn signals, I do not want it to be unusual because I want them to know exactly what I am about to do without them having to think about it - my amber turn signals mean exactly what the driver thinks they mean. I'd rather they not be red and, just maybe, the driver thinks I am only slowing down in my lane.
I don't have hard facts to back this all up, but it makes sense to me and it's legal in my state. I tucked a copy of the MD code citation in my registration folder just in case I get stopped while out of state. Hasn't happened yet.
Here's another tidbit ... in Maryland, motorcycles aren't even required to have turn signals.
MD Transp Code § 22-219 (2013)
(a) Any vehicle may be equipped with and, when required under the Maryland Vehicle Law, shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle, which:
(c) The lamps showing to the front ... shall emit white or amber light, or any shade of light between white and amber.
(d) The lamps showing to the rear ... shall emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber.
(h) Turn signal lamps may, but need not, be incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.
Those are the rules. Next thing is deciding what you want to do.- Shall display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber ...
- May, but need not, be incorporated with one or more other rear lamps.
(c) The lamps showing to the front ... shall emit white or amber light, or any shade of light between white and amber.
(d) The lamps showing to the rear ... shall emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber.
(h) Turn signal lamps may, but need not, be incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.
I put the module in and left the turn signals amber. My logic is: (1) Drivers are used to seeing red and that meaning stop. When I brake, they get red from the tail light but they also see amber from the turn signals lighting up. I think this might get a little more attention because it is unusual. Extra attention is good and they know I am stopping because of the brake light. (2) For the turn signals, I do not want it to be unusual because I want them to know exactly what I am about to do without them having to think about it - my amber turn signals mean exactly what the driver thinks they mean. I'd rather they not be red and, just maybe, the driver thinks I am only slowing down in my lane.
I don't have hard facts to back this all up, but it makes sense to me and it's legal in my state. I tucked a copy of the MD code citation in my registration folder just in case I get stopped while out of state. Hasn't happened yet.
Here's another tidbit ... in Maryland, motorcycles aren't even required to have turn signals.
Last edited by soos; 10-23-2014 at 05:05 PM.