Neon Lights*

[the_names_james]

This is what the law has to say - http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_1.htm

I interpret this to mean that neons are not legal if used on a road as defined under the road traffic act.

A road is defined under s.192(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as “any highway and any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes”

A highway is a way over which the public has a right to pass and re-pass by foot, horse or vehicle, or with animals.

At worse i would image it is a convictable offence under "CU60 Undefined failure to comply with Construction and Use Regulations" which will result in a fine, penalty points on your licence and increased insurance premiums as a result.

There is no specific law on neons, but if the use of them continues to rise i wouldn't think it will be too long before one is introduced. The act isn't amended very often (as you can see, the last one was 1989).

It still remains a grey area, basically we need someone to get caught and be prepared to spend and absolute fortune trying to defend it. Then there will be a case law and definative boundaries written down. Unless you are prepared to do this or are happy to accept a potential fine, a rectification notice (insisting they are removed) and even points on your licence under the construction and use offences (which will in turn increase your insurance premium), i would strongly recommend not having neons (whether tubes, washer jets, tyreflies, no. plate screws etc).

I hope this clears things up a bit for you all.

*Credit goes to Shiny @ the Max Power forum

[waynne]

Thanks for that. I guess we just switch them on for shows and on our driveways for now.

[EclipseWorx]

Originally Posted by the_names_james

This is what the law has to say - http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_1.htm

I interpret this to mean that neons are not legal if used on a road as defined under the road traffic act.

A road is defined under s.192(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as “any highway and any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes”

A highway is a way over which the public has a right to pass and re-pass by foot, horse or vehicle, or with animals.

At worse i would image it is a convictable offence under "CU60 Undefined failure to comply with Construction and Use Regulations" which will result in a fine, penalty points on your licence and increased insurance premiums as a result.

There is no specific law on neons, but if the use of them continues to rise i wouldn't think it will be too long before one is introduced. The act isn't amended very often (as you can see, the last one was 1989).

It still remains a grey area, basically we need someone to get caught and be prepared to spend and absolute fortune trying to defend it. Then there will be a case law and definative boundaries written down. Unless you are prepared to do this or are happy to accept a potential fine, a rectification notice (insisting they are removed) and even points on your licence under the construction and use offences (which will in turn increase your insurance premium), i would strongly recommend not having neons (whether tubes, washer jets, tyreflies, no. plate screws etc).

I hope this clears things up a bit for you all.

*Credit goes to Shiny @ the Max Power forum

yehh but i dont realy understand y r they illegal? whats the point ? in poland they r illigal cause they blind other drivers ... that s bull **** cause u cant see then form over 4m and even if they dont blind u cause they r under the car..

[EclipseWorx]

yehh but i dont realy understand y r they illegal? whats the point ? in poland they r illigal cause they blind other drivers ... that s bull **** cause u cant see then form over 4m and even if they dont blind u cause they r under the car..

[the_names_james]

I don't make the laws

[waynne]

The law doesn't give reasons - just rules. But the law can be nonsense at times which is why test cases and rewrites are so important to any legal system. I can see a Neon being distracting - not blinding though. A red neon at the rear could be confused with a brake light. A blue light showing at the front could be confused with a Police car - one quick glance is not enough to work out the difference (I still get caught out by cars with HID lights on bumpy roads!)