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laws regarding blue and white flashing LED lights in Texas
http://fugitiverecovery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=11421		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  bountyman2000 [ Mon 01 Nov 2010 22:39 ]
Post subject:  laws regarding blue and white flashing LED lights in Texas
I HAVE OWNED BLUE AND WHITE FLASHING LIGHTS FOR 5 YEARS. I HAVE NEVER USED THEM ON A ROAD OR HIGHWAY. BUT I HAVE USED THEM FOR MY PROTECTION IN PRIVATE PARKING LOTS. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF IS NOW ILLEGAL TO OWN/OPERATE THESE LIGHTS IN TEXAS? I HAVE HAD LOCAL OFFICERS APPROACH ME WHILE I WAS PARKED, DOING MY PRIVATE INVESTIGATING. THEY SEE MY DASH LIGHT AND ASK IF IT FLASHED RED OR BLUE. I TURN IT ON, AND SHOW THEM. THEY ARE THEN SATISFIED, AND WALK AWAY. OTHERS TELL ME THAT THE LAWS HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED, BUT I CAN FIND NOTHING ON THIS SUBJECT ANYWHERE. DOES ANYONE HAVE THE 'REAL SCOOP' ON THIS?
Author:  MarshallSvc [ Mon 01 Nov 2010 23:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: laws regarding blue and white flashing LED lights in Tex
This is what I found:



TRANSPORTATION CODE


TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC


SUBTITLE C. RULES OF THE ROAD


CHAPTER 546. OPERATION OF AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN OTHER VEHICLES



SUBCHAPTER A. AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES



Sec. 546.003. AUDIBLE OR VISUAL SIGNALS REQUIRED. Except as provided by Section 546.004, the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle engaging in conduct permitted by Section 546.001 shall use, at the discretion of the operator in accordance with policies of the department or the local government that employs the operator, audible or visual signals that meet the pertinent requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.




Sec. 546.004. EXCEPTIONS TO SIGNAL REQUIREMENT. (a) A volunteer fire fighter who operates a private vehicle as an authorized emergency vehicle may engage in conduct permitted by Section 546.001 only when the fire fighter is using visual signals meeting the pertinent requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702.

(b) An authorized emergency vehicle that is operated as a police vehicle is not required to be equipped with or display a red light visible from the front of the vehicle.

(c) A police officer may operate an authorized emergency vehicle for a law enforcement purpose without using the audible or visual signals required by Section 546.003 if the officer is:

(1) responding to an emergency call or pursuing a suspected violator of the law with probable cause to believe that:

(A) knowledge of the presence of the officer will cause the suspect to:

(i) destroy or lose evidence of a suspected felony;

(ii) end a suspected continuing felony before the officer has obtained sufficient evidence to establish grounds for arrest; or

(iii) evade apprehension or identification of the suspect or the suspect's vehicle; or

(B) because of traffic conditions on a multilaned roadway, vehicles moving in response to the audible or visual signals may:

(i) increase the potential for a collision; or

(ii) unreasonably extend the duration of the pursuit; or

(2) complying with a written regulation relating to the use of audible or visible signals adopted by the local government that employs the officer or by the department.


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


and:

Sec. 547.702. ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES. (a) An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, exhaust whistle, or bell:

(1) of a type approved by the department; and

(2) that emits a sound audible under normal conditions at a distance of at least 500 feet.

(b) The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle shall use the siren, whistle, or bell when necessary to warn other vehicle operators or pedestrians of the approach of the emergency vehicle.

(c) Except as provided by this section, an authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with signal lamps that:

(1) are mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable;

(2) display four alternately flashing red lights, two located on the front at the same level and two located on the rear at the same level; and

(3) emit a light visible at a distance of 500 feet in normal sunlight.

(d) A private vehicle operated by a volunteer firefighter responding to a fire alarm or a medical emergency may, but is not required to, be equipped with signal lamps that comply with the requirements of Subsection (c).

(e) A private vehicle operated by a volunteer firefighter responding to a fire alarm or a medical emergency may be equipped with a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the vehicle roof and flashes a red light visible at a distance of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight.

(f) A police vehicle may, but is not required to, be equipped with signal lamps that comply with Subsection (c).


Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995


No regulation mention about blue/white lights. However, where you may be having an issue is that the Feds use blue/white on their vehicles.
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