Tinting tailights & the law?

[cptnsolo77]

Lets say you tint your tailights & someone rearends you. They just happen to know that your tailights are not tinted from the factory becuase they may know a bit about cars....Can you be liable or partially at fault for tinting your tailights & decreasing their visiblility? Just a thought becuase I have a can of VHT Nightshades & it CLEARLY says "for offroad use". Any input?

[Wolfman213]

You could always have your taillights tested to see if they still meet regulations if they try and sue you. Of course you may find that they do not fall within the federal guidelines and you're screwed. Not sure where you find the values for such tests though.

[lowincash]

I think if someone rearends you it's pretty much their fault for either not paying attention or driving too close to you. Back in 2005 when I rearended an old ford pick up truck, my car was smashed up while his car only had my paint on it lol Anyways, his tail lights were not working so there were no brake lights on whenever he brakes but the cop still says it's my fault =/But I don't know tho. To me, tinting headlights or tail lights is kinda unsafe and it's just another reason for cops to hassle you. I know a light coat will still let light shine thru but I just don't think it's a good idea to do it lol

[waveresponder]

IMO regardless of law its unsafe, and i would think that any modification of headlights/taillights would be voiding factory specs and be grounds for legal issues should something happen as in the ophowever usually if someones rearended the person who did the rearending is placed at fault, usually listed as driver inattention/failure to maintain safe speed and or proper following distanceAnother example of modding would be headlight/taillight strobes where you have to drill holes to mount them. The only people allowed officially in such a way to modify headlights in PA are the police. Meaning I am not allowed by law in PA to put headlight strobes in my vehicle even though I am authorized and am on file with the PSP to display red emergency lights and siren on my POV (personally owned vehicle). The reason mainly being is that upon exchange of ownership the headlights now have holes in them left from removal of such strobes, I am however allowed by law to install a wig wag flashing headlight system as long as the high beam function overrides which i may do but im worried about decreasing headlight llife. Also you may fail inspection, as the can says OFF ROAD USE ONLY and you can be ticketed.

[cptnsolo77]

I was actually thinking of tinting the tails with a LIGHT tint. Looking for cheapo ways to clean up the look with being too expensive. Removed the pinstripes & debadged helped a lot. Just subtle ways for a clean look. Someone from work gave me a can of the VHT and was entertaining the thought. Aside from decreasing visibility the work to make them look right turned me off. Plus it would be another thing to maintain along with the headlights.

[A Psycho Martyr]

I say if you're gonna do em...go EXTREMELY light. It darkens after it dries!If I had it to do over again I would have tried something else.And I probably still will after the car show next month. YES, it's illegal and YES it's unsafe.This coming from someone who just did theirs, but we all know that feelin you get when you just GOTTA do a mod. Nothing can stop you.

[A Psycho Martyr]

I also sanded down over the brake light area of mine. So my brakelights aren't tinted at ALL...just the rest of my taillights. Just an idea to make not as bad.

[cptnsolo77]

Now that you posted that pic the can of VHT is calling me again lol

[09vGT]

I think it should be the persons fault who has the tinted tail lamps.. Around here the thing is trucks to tint their tail lamps... EVERYONE does it.. freakin annoying.. especially that time of the day when the sun is very bright overhead.. and you cant see anything.. I've almost rear ended many cars with stupid DARK tinted tail lamps..

[A Psycho Martyr]

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »I think it should be the persons fault who has the tinted tail lamps.... Actually, I'm gonna agree with you, which is why I did mine the way I did. But even tho my brake lights are brighter than they were before (my bulbs were ancient), I have changed the way I drive and switch lanes and everything due to my tint. I know it looks good, but I don't have that peace of mind when I'm driving now. And the lsat thing you need when operating a vehicle is another thing to worry about while trying to drive. But I'm leaving them the way they are for a while and I'm sure they'll get old to me eventually, like a new piercing or something. Then I'll try something new