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PULSAR 3rd brake light-legal here?

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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 04:48 PM
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PULSAR 3rd brake light-legal here?

GOminiGO.com has a nifty mod to make the third brake light pulse briefly before settling into a normal beam. Anybody know for sure that this is legal in Illinois? In Kane Co? Also, in Chicago, in case I drive there?
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 04:52 PM
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Well from what I've read it seems iffy. It will be the same statewide. I'll see if I can post links to the laws later tonight. I would be interested in a difinative answer on this though as it is something I think would give me a little more saftey.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 06:37 PM
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yes, illegal....if i saw that thing in front of me.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 06:40 PM
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Taylor just installed his in the last week or so. I said that it looks like he has a stuttering foot.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 05:45 AM
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So Taylor will be the test case for us MINI owners!

Thanks!
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 08:00 AM
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Every vehicle other than an antique vehicle displaying an antique plate operated in this State shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red or amber light visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the rear in normal sunlight and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake, and which may but need not be incorporated with other rear lamps.
I took a quick look at the Illinois Vehicle Code and didn't find anything specific about pulsating lights being "illegal" in Illinois. But I'm no lawyer. Also the link above was just the Lights and Lamps section. Here is the rest of the Entire Code!

P.S. for those who wondered if fog lamps are illegal to be used when there is no fog, the code states that they are in-fact legal. I have been meaning to look this up for a while and didn't want to risk being pulled over for it.
Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the use of auxiliary driving lamps, commonly referred to as "fog" lamps, when used in conjunction with head lamps, if such auxiliary driving lamps are adjusted and so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of drivers of oncoming vehicles.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 08:37 AM
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Sec. 12‑208. Signal lamps and signal devices.
(a) Every vehicle other than an antique vehicle displaying an antique plate operated in this State shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red or amber light visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the rear in normal sunlight and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake, and which may but need not be incorporated with other rear lamps. During times when lighted lamps are not required, an antique vehicle may be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of such vehicle of the same type originally installed by the manufacturer as original equipment and in working order. However, at all other times, except as provided in subsection (a‑1), such antique vehicle must be equipped with stop lamps meeting the requirements of Section 12‑208 of this Act.
(625 ILCS 5/12‑212) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑212)
Sec. 12‑212. Special restrictions on lamps. (a) No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device on the vehicle or equipment displaying a red light visible from directly in front of the vehicle or equipment except as otherwise provided in this Act.
(b) Subject to the restrictions of this Act, flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles except as a means for indicating a right or left turn as provided in Section 12‑208 or the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care as expressly provided in Sections 11‑804 or 12‑215.
(c) Unless otherwise expressly authorized by this Code, all other lighting or combination of lighting on any vehicle shall be prohibited.
(Source: P.A. 86‑664.)

(d) The electric turn signal device required in Section 12‑208 of this Act must be used to indicate an intention to turn, change lanes or start from a parallel parked position but must not be flashed on one side only on a parked or disabled vehicle or flashed as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear. However, such signal devices may be flashed simultaneously on both sides of a motor vehicle to indicate the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking and passing.
(Source: P.A. 78‑1297.)
(625 ILCS 5/12‑215) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑215)
Sec. 12‑215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or
local authorities;

2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county
coroner and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a law enforcement vehicle; however, such designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle;

2.1. A vehicle operated by a fire chief who has
completed an emergency vehicle operation training course approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a fire department, fire protection district, or township fire department vehicle; however, the designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle, and the lights may be visible or activated only when responding to a bona fide emergency;

3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles;

4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call for and while actually conveying the sick or injured;

5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such
lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on any such tow truck while the tow truck is operating in the State of Illinois;

6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety;

7. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act;

8. School buses operating alternately flashing head
lamps as permitted under Section 12‑805 of this Code; and

9. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transplant vehicles when used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall be lighted only when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization.
From reading this, the short answer would be no in IL; in my understanding unless you met the specific requirements listed. But I'm no lawyer.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 11:00 AM
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Hmmm -- thanks. 12-212 "hazard requiring unusual care" could be said to include a MINI. But the later part, about specific emergency vehicles, makes me wary of trying it. Drat!
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 12:11 PM
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It's only illegal if you get caught....
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 01:31 PM
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at the end of the day, it all comes down to the cop's mood.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by godskid
Hmmm -- thanks. 12-212 "hazard requiring unusual care" could be said to include a MINI. But the later part, about specific emergency vehicles, makes me wary of trying it. Drat!
I think you're better off doing the fog light conversion into the brake light mod. Which is entirely legal and giving you significantly more brakelight output. Search for something light "rear brake light mod"

I've got an 05 so what I'll probably do is add the rear fog swap the bulb for a slightly brighter LED and wire it up to turn on with the brakes. Anyone familiar with the rear fog on the 05s and 06s knows that they can be extremely bright.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 07:48 PM
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the pulsar gives people behind you a good heads up without being terribly irritating... if it flashed for ever I could see where you would get in trouble, but you could have fluttered your foot to create the same effect.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by motor on
I think you're better off doing the fog light conversion into the brake light mod. Which is entirely legal and giving you significantly more brakelight output. Search for something light "rear brake light mod"

I've got an 05 so what I'll probably do is add the rear fog swap the bulb for a slightly brighter LED and wire it up to turn on with the brakes. Anyone familiar with the rear fog on the 05s and 06s knows that they can be extremely bright.
Hey motor on... if you're coming out for the Rock Run.. drive behind me for a bit and tell my how bright my brake lite mod looks
 
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by MiniMac2005
Hey motor on... if you're coming out for the Rock Run.. drive behind me for a bit and tell my how bright my brake lite mod looks
Any idea if I'll get a chance to do a wash before hand. Right now I plan to be there
 
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by kibosh
the pulsar gives people behind you a good heads up without being terribly irritating... if it flashed for ever I could see where you would get in trouble, but you could have fluttered your foot to create the same effect.
I think it serves its purpose, but in IL its a no no. I've been behind other MINIs with an extremely simlar effect and definatly noticed it. I wouldn't mind having one if it were legal, in the mean time I'll be reasearching a for brake light combo.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by motor on
Any idea if I'll get a chance to do a wash before hand. Right now I plan to be there
Tomorrow -- Sunny (windy) 50F
Sunday - Sunny 56F

I plan on getting a wash tomorrow
 
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by MiniMac2005
Tomorrow -- Sunny (windy) 50F
Sunday - Sunny 56F

I plan on getting a wash tomorrow
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:44 AM
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I'm going to ask my villages Police chief (who I know personally) about the Pulsar light and see what he says.

Just reading the code Motor on posted; section Sec. 12-215a would say that it's illegal.

I'd say claim it's OEM.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 07:47 AM
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Easy fix, just don't brake when the police are around!
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 12:31 PM
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I bet it's like tint, if you **** the cop off too much he will write you up for anything and everything, if your nice, you get the speeding ticket, and move on.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 01:00 PM
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I don't know much about this mod, so correct me if i'm wrong, but how on earth would a cop even if he was standing behind your car have a clue that the brakes were functioning any differently than if you just pulsed the brake with your foot... Even if it was only the CMSL that flashed, no cop with any kind of a brain is going to take the time to pull you over and try to write you a ticket cause it flashed 4 times before becoming solid...

Originally Posted by motor on
I think it serves its purpose, but in IL its a no no. I've been behind other MINIs with an extremely simlar effect and definatly noticed it. I wouldn't mind having one if it were legal, in the mean time I'll be reasearching a for brake light combo.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by ChicagoMini
I bet it's like tint, if you **** the cop off too much he will write you up for anything and everything, if your nice, you get the speeding ticket, and move on.
Originally Posted by rustyboy155
I don't know much about this mod, so correct me if i'm wrong, but how on earth would a cop even if he was standing behind your car have a clue that the brakes were functioning any differently than if you just pulsed the brake with your foot... Even if it was only the CMSL that flashed, no cop with any kind of a brain is going to take the time to pull you over and try to write you a ticket cause it flashed 4 times before becoming solid...
Read the post above yours. It's one of those things where if you're doing something else expect to here about it. Or say you come up on a checkpoint, and one of the officers see it as you come to a stop, you get a ticket. And if you read the details of the code, it carries a decently serious penalty if you violate IL 12-215 then you could be slapped witha misdeamenor or felony; its not what is likely to happen for a flashing brake light, but it is a potential consequence. Personally just adding a 4th light that is significantly brighter (and not blocked by my spoiler) is going to be equally if not more effective in drawing attention to me.

It's just the CMSL, and it doesgrab your attention even if you're not looking directly at it, I have no doubt it will be noticed and draw both negitive and positive attention.

Mercedes has made flashing brake lights standard overseas because it is statistically safer for 2 flashes of the brake lights before steady will draw attention to the cars behing you. Unfortuneatley US law doesn't currently allow for those type of modifications.

Ords, I'd be interested in hearing what your friend has to say about this. I think it is something that would be enforced on varrying levels by different officers.

The letter says its illegal, but you're clearly not impersonating an offier or the similar so much is throwing yourself at the mercy of the officer, and potentially the DA and the judge. Not worth the trouble if you ask me, esp. when you have other perfectly legal options to increase your brakelight visibility.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 02:15 PM
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If Mercedes is doing it overseas, it should only take 20 years before our law makers see the light, flash and make it law here. :(
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 02:26 PM
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I'm not arguing about the legality of it. I'm sure it's illegal. My point is that even if a cop did notice it, he's not likely to ticket you for it, stopped already or not. To the average joe it's either a standard feature of the car or a malfunction of the lighting system. How on earth would he prove that it was modified short of taking your entire tail light assembly apart and comparing it to a stock Cooper. I highly doubt there are any cops out there aware of a flashing CMSL mod that's available for the Mini Cooper, and even fewer that are willing to spend 20 minutes writing a ticket over it (Not to mention having to potentially show up in court when the person fights it...


Originally Posted by motor on
Read the post above yours. It's one of those things where if you're doing something else expect to here about it. Or say you come up on a checkpoint, and one of the officers see it as you come to a stop, you get a ticket. And if you read the details of the code, it carries a decently serious penalty if you violate IL 12-215 then you could be slapped witha misdeamenor or felony; its not what is likely to happen for a flashing brake light, but it is a potential consequence. Personally just adding a 4th light that is significantly brighter (and not blocked by my spoiler) is going to be equally if not more effective in drawing attention to me.

It's just the CMSL, and it doesgrab your attention even if you're not looking directly at it, I have no doubt it will be noticed and draw both negitive and positive attention.

Mercedes has made flashing brake lights standard overseas because it is statistically safer for 2 flashes of the brake lights before steady will draw attention to the cars behing you. Unfortuneatley US law doesn't currently allow for those type of modifications.

Ords, I'd be interested in hearing what your friend has to say about this. I think it is something that would be enforced on varrying levels by different officers.

The letter says its illegal, but you're clearly not impersonating an offier or the similar so much is throwing yourself at the mercy of the officer, and potentially the DA and the judge. Not worth the trouble if you ask me, esp. when you have other perfectly legal options to increase your brakelight visibility.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by motor on
I think it serves its purpose, but in IL its a no no. I've been behind other MINIs with an extremely simlar effect and definatly noticed it. I wouldn't mind having one if it were legal, in the mean time I'll be reasearching a for brake light combo.

Go to gominigo.com for the pulsating 3rd light mod as well the brake light mod.

About $25 & $13 each, respectively..........

Ordered mine yesterday...
 
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