Sidemarkers Amber or Red?

[GunnyG]

Well folks, got myself a ticket last night for violating Ca Veh. Code 25950(a), illegal illuminated front lighting. I have AAC LED sidemarkers. They add an absolute amazing look to the car.

Problem is, CHP officer says they're red in front, and "redder" in the rear. To that, I say impossible. The front are amber/orange LED, the rear are true red. To that he says, the blinkers are amber...thought I was calling him color blind. Long story short, after 15 minutes on the side of the I-5, I received a ticket. Question: Does anyone make "yellow" front LED sidemarkers? I'd hate to revert back to OEM sidemarkers, at the same time, it might not be worth getting harassed every time I drive at night. I have pics, but they're horrible from my cell phone, and I'm out of town...will take some this weekend.

Thoughts, suggestions, comments...
Thanks!

[wocampb]

If it is just a fix-it ticket go to a dealership and take a picture of stock side markers to show them. Have done this before on my tint with an old car.

[CruznSS]

I agree, take pics of stock & after market lights for comparison to take to court. They figure you will just pay the fine. Have had mine for a year with no issues - so far....

CRUZN-SS VIA tapatalk

[Schmidty]

What the ??? Now that's some shit right there! Sorry Aaron..that aint right! Call Turko!

[GunnyG]

Originally Posted by wocampb

If it is just a fix-it ticket go to a dealership and take a picture of stock side markers to show them. Have done this before on my tint with an old car.

Thanks, I'll do that! I can't believe he said the fronts were red, and the back are "redder". Wow!

[GunnyG]

Originally Posted by CruznSS

I agree, take pics of stock & after market lights for comparison to take to court. They figure you will just pay the fine. Have had mine for a year with no issues - so far....

CRUZN-SS VIA tapatalk

Yep, I'm gonna fight this like hell. No way they're red. I've got other illegal stuff he didn't even notice (no mufflers, tint, no front license plate). He was just blind I think.

Originally Posted by Kali4nia58

What the ??? Now that's some shit right there! Sorry Aaron..that aint right! Call Turko!

Good ole Turko files! Man I love these lights. THEY'RE ORANGE DAG NABBIT!!!

[ctinatx]

Someone else reported the same issue a while back happening to them in Florida.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3272871

I too would have to call shenanigans on this one. Good luck/

[GunnyG]

Originally Posted by ctinatx

Someone else reported the same issue a while back happening to them in Florida.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3272871

I too would have to call shenanigans on this one. Good luck/

Hey, thanks a lot. Looks like he got popped for the exact same thing I did. The LED front sidemarkers are clearly amber/orange. CHP officer wasn't even trying to hear it. I can tell the difference. I'll post pics his weekend, sorry I parked my car and drove a rental while I'm out of town. I appreciate it.

[TaylorRyanSS]

Be careful, these have no reflectors. So if you do try and fight it and they notice they do not have reflectors in them then you will definitely not win. I have some on order right now.

[GunnyG]

Originally Posted by TaylorRyanSS

Be careful, these have no reflectors. So if you do try and fight it and they notice they do not have reflectors in them then you will definitely not win. I have some on order right now.

Think I may have a chance to fight it.

25950. This section applies to the color of lamps and to any reflector exhibiting or reflecting perceptible light of 0.05 candela or more per foot-candle of incident illumination. Unless provided otherwise, the color of lamps and reflectors upon a vehicle shall be as follows:

(a) The emitted light from all lamps and the reflected light from all reflectors, visible from in front of a vehicle, shall be white or yellow, except as follows:

(1) Rear side marker lamps required by Section 25100 may show red to the front.

(2) The color of foglamps described in Section 24403 may be in the color spectrum from white to yellow.

(3) An illuminating device, as permitted under Section 24255, shall emit radiation predominantly in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Any incidental visible light projecting to the front of the vehicle shall be predominantly yellow to white. Any incidental visible light projecting to the rear of the vehicle shall be predominantly red. Any incidental visible light from an illuminating device, as permitted under Section 24255, shall not resemble any other required or permitted lighting device or official traffic control device.

These lights are NOT projecting to the front. They project to the side, and are of the infrared spectrum. Maybe interpreted as incidental, but hmmm that's a stretch because it's orange not red. Contacted AAC, they don't make yellow. The wavelength from yellow to orange to red is such a fine line. Thanks Taylor, hope you don't have any issues. Haven't read the requirement for reflection. Maybe it's there...just haven't found it.

[Sw0rdf1sh]

Good luck. Sounds like you are doing your homework.

Let us know how it shakes out.

[GunnyG]

Originally Posted by AACstyle

If you need us to provide documentation from the LED manufacturer Bridgelux showing the frequency of the diode which determines the color in the spectrum and prove your point that it is operating within the color that FMVSS considers to be "Amber" and threrfore street legal just send me a PM

That would be absolutely WONDERFUL. Sending pm now!

[Ivan @ Southwest Speed]

I had the same issues happen to me while going on and off base down at NAS Pcola and Eglin AFB.

Both times they told me that my lights were "red" in front.

I asked one of the guys to step back and compare them to the red ones in rear and he really quick said "yup, they're amber, you're good."

The guy at NAS stopped me once a week at least to "take a closer look" I think that he just wanted to check out the car since he never actually gave me a ticket or warning.

But those were the only issues/times that I've had that in my 47k miles of driving in over half of the country.

Has to be a personal preference thing when it comes to being stopped like this.

Keep us posted on your dealings and good luck Gunny.
Ivan

[GunnyG]

Originally Posted by Ivan @ Southwest Speed

I had the same issues happen to me while going on and off base down at NAS Pcola and Eglin AFB.

Both times they told me that my lights were "red" in front.

I asked one of the guys to step back and compare them to the red ones in rear and he really quick said "yup, they're amber, you're good."

The guy at NAS stopped me once a week at least to "take a closer look" I think that he just wanted to check out the car since he never actually gave me a ticket or warning.

But those were the only issues/times that I've had that in my 47k miles of driving in over half of the country.

Has to be a personal preference thing when it comes to being stopped like this.

Keep us posted on your dealings and good luck Gunny.
Ivan

Ivan, that's what I tried to do. I can clearly tell the difference. When this officer looked, he said "the front are red, the back are redder". Then he had me turn on my blinker. He said, that's amber. I tried to explain the difference between halogen blinker, and LED sidemarker electrons...but he wasn't trying to hear it. He accused me of calling him color blind. I just pm'd AACStyle for a write up. Hopefully that helps. My brother's a LA detective, this is in no way bashing CHP. I just think he was wrong.

I haven't had any problems driving on base. Only a few more months of that, and I retire. I was down TAD to Pcola back in 2007 for 4 months. Had a great time, Seville Quarters or Seville Square I believe was the district. Awesome!