Punishment for a strobe light on a car
The penalty for strobes of certain colors is quite significant, so many drivers believe that their installation is illegal. In fact, there are a number of nuances, knowing which will allow you to avoid the deprivation of rights and receive the minimum possible penalty, or even get away without a fine.
Is it possible to put strobes on the car
To understand, it is necessary to study several paragraphs of the Code on Administrative Violations. For simplicity, it is worth parsing two of them, which directly relate to strobes:
- Paragraph 3 states that any lighting or reflective equipment with red lights is prohibited on the front of the car. This also includes all other devices whose operation mode and color do not comply with the Regulation on the Admission of Vehicles to Traffic. It should be noted that the violation is all additional light sources that are not provided by the manufacturer. The penalty for this violation is confiscation of the equipment and disqualification from driving vehicle for a period of 6 to 12 months.
- If the car is equipped with devices for special sound or light signals without appropriate permission, they are also confiscated. А The term of deprivation in this case will increase and will make from one year to one and a half. But it is worth noting that the special signals include only light sources of certain colors, so not all types of equipment may be punished under this point.
Based on the mode of operation of strobes, which flash several times per second, they all violate the requirements of the law. But there is no direct reference to this type of devices, so the interpretation of the law may be different.
What are the penalties for strobe lights
It all depends on the situation and the color of the installed strobes. Proceeding from established practice, it is possible to distinguish these options:
- If the violation is not gross and operates a light device of white or other color, not related to special lights, a fine may be imposed for violation of the rules for the use of light devices, it is 500 rubles.
- If using red lights, as well as devices, the mode of which does not comply with the rules of admission, the penalty will be 3 thousand rubles for an ordinary driver, and from 15 to 20 thousand for officials. And if the violation is committed by a legal entity, the amount will increase and will be from 400 to 500 thousand.
How to properly use not to get fined
If you need to formalize everything by law, you will have to spend a lot of time. To use strobes related to special lights you need to do the following:
- Contact the nearest department of the traffic police and clarify all the peculiarities of registration of a strobe light. At the same time to find out whether they can be used in a particular situation.
- Next, a package of necessary documents is prepared and the type of equipment and its location are agreed upon. After passing all the necessary procedures, a special permit is issued.
The certificate is written out for a specific person, and only he can drive the car with the additional equipment.
It is almost impossible for an ordinary driver to get it. Therefore, there are no legal options for using strobes.
Read also: How to choose the right running lights so you don't get fined
Who can drive with a strobe light
Strobes can be installed on the car for several categories of vehicles, they are divided into 3 types for simplicity. Each of them differs in color and peculiarities of use:
- The first type. This includes lights in red and blue, you can put them on police cars and some other categories of vehicles. Drivers are obliged to give way to vehicles with such lights, that is why they cannot be put on ordinary cars and for this violation there is the highest penalty and deprivation of a driver's license.
- The second type. These are flashing beacons and strobes of yellow and orange colors. They do not give any advantages, but they warn other road users of the danger and attract attention. There is also a fine for their use, but usually one is not deprived of the license. And the drivers of vehicles equipped with such devices may be fined for not turning them on when working or transporting children.
- The third type. This includes white signals, most often used by the collection service, postal transport and vehicles carrying valuable goods. They do not provide any benefits and do not require registration for installation. Most often for this option is not fined, in some cases the penalty is 500 rubles - for violations of the rules for the use of lighting devices.
Variants of the third type are used at their discretion, the drivers of vehicles equipped with them, include it at will.
How to get away from punishment
It is immediately worth noting that if the traffic police inspectors find strobe lights of red and blue colors, it is unlikely to agree with them. Almost always in such a situation, the driver is deprived of the right, it is better not to violate the law and choose neutral variants of white color.
It is worth turning off the equipment, if there is a police car or a crew of traffic police. Any strobe light is a violation, so if the car was not stopped several times, it does not mean that everything is legal. It is recommended to install the devices so that they are not visible or conspicuous. One option - installation in the cabin, if the color is white, the driver is not violating anything, because The COAP only mentions lighting equipment located in the front of the car.
If still there are problems, you need to emphasize the fact that it is not a special signal, to get the minimum penalty. Some drivers make a system in which you can switch the strobe light to constant light mode, in which case you can avoid the penalty.
Video review about the so-called "FSO flares" (strobe lights or not, banned or not?).
Strobe lights should not be red and blue colors, this option is prohibited, orange options are also a violation. But the white light is not prohibited, but you may still get a fine for violating the Rules for the Use of Light Devices.