Many car owners want to make their car attractive, bright and unique. For this purpose, not only permitted means and techniques are used, but even prohibited methods. These include the installation of stroboscopes, which are otherwise called special signals.
They can have different colors, but it is prohibited to use red or blue devices. They can only be used by cars belonging to special services, so installing such elements on a regular car becomes the basis for holding the car owner accountable.
What kind of device is this
It is represented by a special device that emits a light signal of different colors. Among motorists, the most common are LED strobe lights, which make the car more attractive and bright. But the use of certain colors is strictly prohibited by legal requirements.
The main purpose of installing these devices is to provide a signal to other road users using bright flashes of light. A strobe is a device that reproduces and repeats bright light pulses. If yellow or white light is selected, then the installation of the equipment is not against the law.
The advantages of installing such a device include:
- versatility, allowing you to install a strobe on absolutely any car;
- long service life;
- efficiency, because if LED models are chosen, they consume a small amount of electricity;
- there is no need for specific maintenance;
- they are easy to use, and also improve the lighting efficiency, and also easily attract attention to the car while driving;
- There are many stroboscopes on the market that differ in shape, size, color and installation location.
Important! Typically, such products are purchased by car owners who prefer to change the appearance of the car themselves.
Installing a blinking brake light: is it legal?
Have you noticed that on many cars, with the advent of LEDs in the automotive industry, the taillights have become brighter? This is especially true for brake lights. On the one hand, LEDs provide a brighter glow, which contributes to safety on the road
But if we are, of course, talking about standard factory LED lights.
It’s another matter when bright LEDs are installed by fans of popular tuning, without thinking about the surrounding road users, and even less so about the law. Moreover, recently “collective farm tuning” of brake lights in the form of flashing lights has become popular. But is it legal? After all, flickering brake lights (if they are also LED) interfere with other drivers. Let's figure it out.
First, let's delve a little deeper into the essence of the issue. Where did the trend for flashing brake lights come from? The thing is that automakers have been equipping some of their car models with an emergency braking warning system for several years now, which warns drivers behind them about a sharp decrease in speed. This usually happens when the traction control system (ABS) and ESP begin to work at the limits of their capabilities.
Depending on the design of the car and the technologies available in it, the electronics activate a safety preparation mode in case of a collision (seat belts are automatically tightened, windows are closed, braking force is automatically maintained, and a warning mode is activated for drivers of other cars about the risk of an accident).
So, depending on the technology in the car, the hazard lights automatically turn on or the brake lights start flashing.
As you can see, blinking “stops” carry an element of additional security. And we have no doubt that this system has already saved many people and cars from serious consequences. But when blinking tail lights are used for fun, their usefulness turns into a road hazard.
Video from YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=za6jTzPQFdg
Not only do non-factory blinking brake lights confuse other drivers, but if bright LED lamps are used, they can greatly blind others, which, as you understand, does not lead to increased safety (and even vice versa).
But why then are there more and more cars with similar “popular tuning” on the roads every day? Is this really legal? Let's look at this point point by point.
To begin with, let us recall paragraph 2.3.1 of the Traffic Rules, which describes the driver’s responsibilities:
Now look at paragraph 3.1 in the List of faults and conditions under which, according to the law, operation of the vehicle is prohibited:
Accordingly, according to the above, non-factory flashing brake lights are prohibited, since their operating mode does not correspond to the factory settings.
It would also be useful to remember the following provisions of the current legislation:
When are they allowed and in what case will there be punishment?
If a driver installs a device on his car that generates a light signal or emits a sound signal, then he violates the requirements of the law if he does not have the right to use special signals. Responsibility is assigned under Art. 12.4 of the Administrative Code, and if a flashing light or siren is installed at all, then the punishment is chosen according to Art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offences.
Therefore, if the driver plans to install strobe lights, then the following rules are taken into account:
- Signals of the first type. These include red or blue signals, and they can only be installed with permission from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Illegal installation of such stroboscopes, which emit red or blue light, and also make any sound, leads to a fine of up to 5 thousand rubles. For officials, the sanction increases to 20 thousand rubles, and for a company to 500 thousand rubles. Driving a vehicle illegally equipped with a loudspeaker or lights will result in a license suspension of 12 to 18 months and the removal of the equipment. If these strobes are used while driving, the driver will lose his license for a period of 18 to 24 months. The use of special signals, regardless of the chosen color and installation location, results in the payment of a fine of 3 thousand rubles.
- Signals of the second type. They are represented by yellow beacons, and their use is permitted by law, so no penalties are provided. But liability is assigned if the driver using these strobe lights violates traffic rules. For example, if a person driving a car did not turn on the yellow light during road work or transporting dangerous goods, then the punishment is a warning or a fine of 500 rubles. If this beacon does not turn on when transporting children, then the sanction increases to 3 thousand rubles.
- Signals of the third type. These include white strobes and do not require prior approval for installation or use. They are often installed on cars owned by post offices and cash collectors. Owners of conventional cars rarely install these devices, since there are no advantages. Cars with such strobe lights often attract the attention of traffic police representatives, but no liability measures are provided for.
Reference! Illegal installation and use of special signals is a serious offense, so you cannot avoid punishment, but you can reduce the fine for strobe lights by 50% if you pay it within 20 days after the decision is issued.
How to use it correctly so you don’t get fined
If you need to formalize everything according to the law, you will have to spend a lot of time. To use strobes related to special signals, you need to do the following:
- Contact the nearest traffic police department and clarify all the features of registering a strobe light. At the same time, find out whether it is possible to use them in a particular situation.
- Next, a package of necessary documents is prepared and the type of equipment and its location are agreed upon. After completing all the necessary procedures, a special permit is issued.
The certificate is issued to a specific person and only he or she will be able to drive a car with additional equipment.
For the average driver, it is almost impossible to obtain. Therefore, there are no legal options for using strobes.
White strobes are not a gross violation.
Purpose of the equipment
The main purpose of installing strobe lights is to attract attention. Special services vehicles turn on this equipment in order to drive along the road without traffic jams or have time to bring a sick person to the hospital.
If the equipment is installed on an ordinary car, then this allows you to make the car brighter and attract attention on the road. But at the same time, they should not blind other road users or imitate special signals.
It is also useful to read: How to return paid transport tax
Installing special signals on your car
Road congestion is a problem that is familiar to every motorist. Sometimes, in order to avoid spending many hours stuck in traffic jams, drivers resort to various tricks. Perhaps the most popular solution is to install a siren on your car. Here, rather, the calculation is made on the fact that not all motorists are familiar with the intricacies of traffic regulations regarding the installation of such signals and simply do not know which car has the right to have a sound quack. The first successful drive with such devices gives the car owner reason to believe that now this is the only way to solve the problem of sitting idle in traffic jams. Just don’t forget about the most important thing - it’s illegal, which means it’s fraught with certain consequences.
Let's look at 3 situations when you have at your disposal a car equipped with special sound and light signals:
- You have inherited a car that has a beacon, a siren and a color scheme, but you do not use it. There can be no talk of punishment here. Firstly, you didn’t paint it or install the flashing lights. The mere possession of such transport does not entail administrative liability. If such a car is constantly parked in your garage and does not go out on the road, then it will not bring you any problems.
- You independently decorated your car with all the attributes of special equipment. Responsibility for your actions is determined by your intentions. So, if the registered car is safely in the garage (as in the first case), then you will not face any fines. It's a completely different question if you want to ride it. To do this you will have to obtain special permission.
- At your disposal are vehicles with special signals, which you can safely use in everyday life. Without special permission, your behavior will be regarded as a gross violation of the law and traffic rules. And this is a fine. Even if you drive with the signals turned off, you cannot avoid punishment.
Main varieties
Varieties are distinguished by color:
- red and blue strobe lights, which are equipped with cars belonging to special services;
- yellow or orange are used on cars that transport dangerous goods or children, and are also required for road repairs;
- white ones are used by collectors and postal services.
A strobe light is also called a flashing light or flasher. It provides a light signal of the desired light with a certain frequency and duration. Depending on the installation method, products can be stationary or removable. They are often supplemented with different sound signals. Such devices are never standard, so they are installed additionally on the car.
Drivers can choose different locations to install equipment. Special signals, represented by flashing beacons, are mounted on the roof of the car. If a citizen does not have the right to use such signals, then he often installs them inside the car.
Attention! Sometimes a radiator grille is selected for installation, which allows you not to attract the attention of traffic police officers.
Remote engine start
When it's cold outside, it's very convenient to start the engine remotely. While the driver goes outside, the car will warm up and you can drive right away. Remote engine starting is one option that Americans can take full advantage of, but which is not available in some European countries. There is probably good reason why legislators consider this system to be harmful or dangerous.
A common offense among car owners is using a sound similar to the sound of special services vehicles. The appearance does not indicate the presence of an installed signal, since most often it is hidden behind the radiator grille or under the hood. It is worth knowing that this is an offense, the punishment for which is established in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. In this article we will look at what types of special signals are distinguished and consider the fines for their illegal installation.
Which ones can you bet?
If a car owner decides to equip his car with a strobe light, then he must know which products are allowed and which are prohibited. Some models simulate special signals, so they are prohibited from being installed without prior permission .
If you buy white strobe running lights, they are not flashing beacons, so their installation and use does not violate traffic rules.
Special signals are installed based on the provisions of GOST R50574-2002. It describes the appearance of the lights that are mounted on vehicles belonging to emergency services. Both types and standards of light and sound signals are indicated here. But this document does not contain information about white or yellow strobes, so they are not classified as special signals.
New standards for paying traffic fines
The fine issued for SGU in 2022 must be paid within 60 days. The countdown begins from the moment the decision on the violation comes into force. These frameworks apply to the entire territory of Russia, and not just to Moscow and the region. According to Art. 20.25 Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, an untimely paid fine for a special signal will entail:
- new fine;
- civil arrest for 15 days;
- compulsory work for a period of 50 hours.
When paying funds within the first 20 days, the offender can count on a discount of up to 50%. Starting from 2022, payments are made without commission.
As you can see, installing devices to produce special sound or light signals entails quite a serious punishment, so it is better not to break the rules. Only in this case will it be possible to avoid unnecessary expenses, both financial and moral.
The installation of distinctive signals intended for special vehicles is prohibited by law. Therefore, there are fines for illegal installation of special signals. In the material presented we will tell you in more detail and possible sanctions.
How to use light and sound signals
Only ambulances, police, fire service, military police, Ministry of Emergency Situations, FSB, National Guard, Investigative Committee and FSO can drive with flashing lights. Additionally, such flashing lights can be installed on cars belonging to State Duma deputies, governors, ministers and members of the Federation Council.
For each driver working in special services, a special certificate for special signals is issued. Documentation is issued only after the citizen has completed special training courses, for which he will have to study at a licensed educational institution. This certificate is issued for a maximum of 5 years, after which retraining takes place.
Drivers of special services are additionally trained in extreme driving skills, and also learn to use special signals and radio communications.
The rules for using special signals include:
- if the driver turns on the blue car beacon, then he can ignore traffic lights and demand priority from other road users;
- violating traffic rules is allowed only on the condition that an emergency situation does not arise;
- light signals are always complemented by sound;
- other cars on the road, when approaching a car with a special signal, should reduce speed and move to the side;
- It is prohibited to overtake special services vehicles;
- if the beacon is yellow or orange, then the car has no advantages over other cars on the road, so drivers must follow traffic rules;
- white beacons installed on cash-in-transit vehicles turn on when there is a threat of attack.
Reference! If an ordinary driver does not allow a car with blue or red lights on to pass, this leads to a fine of 2.5 thousand rubles, and the citizen is also deprived of his license for a period of 1 to 3 months.
It is also useful to read: What is a diagnostic card
Penalties
Illegal use of light or sound signals is punishable. There is some confusion regarding what exactly the punishment is.
The use of special signals, even without their activation, is still a crime. Accordingly, a citizen can be punished even if he moves along the road without activating the beacon.
The fine for flashing lights for individuals is five thousand rubles. The punishment is enhanced if the crime is committed by an official. In this case, a fine of twenty thousand rubles will be imposed.
If the offense was committed by a legal entity, the amount of the penalty will be five hundred thousand rubles. The same sanctions are provided for using a vehicle with a special paint job.
What happens if you forgot your license at home and the traffic police stopped
White strobes
Tell me what the guys will say about white strobes? Well, preferably the article under which they will fall.. Thanks in advance)
8 replies to the topic “White strobes”
What if the blink rate is wrong? A friend of mine bit off the swear word and said that the tonality was different, not according to the standard. Released
in fact, nothing should blink except the turn signals...
what a fucking tone. This excuse doesn't work!
so the special signals, as I understand them, are blue and red, well, there are also yellow ones on cargo trucks... but for white ones, it seems like nothing is said?
12.4 part 1 Installation on the front of the vehicle of lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the operating mode of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Provisions for the admission of a vehicle to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety traffic fine: for citizens 2,500 rubles, for officials from 15,000 to 20,000 rubles, for legal entities from 400,000 to 500,000 rubles. (instruments and accessories are confiscated) / prohibition of vehicle operation with removal of state registration plates*
12.4 part 2 Installation on a vehicle without appropriate permission of devices for giving special light or sound signals (except for security alarms) fine: for citizens 2,500 rubles, for officials 20,000 rubles, for legal entities 500,000 rubles. (devices are confiscated) / prohibition of vehicle operation with removal of state registration plates*
12.5 part 3 Driving a vehicle on the front of which there are lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices installed, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the operating mode of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Provisions for the admission of a vehicle to operation and the duties of officials ensuring road safety, deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for a period of 6 months. up to 1 year (instruments and accessories are confiscated) / seizure of driving license, prohibition of vehicle operation with removal of state registration plates* 12.5 part 4 Driving a vehicle on which devices for sending special light or sound signals (with the exception of security alarms) are installed without appropriate permission (with the exception of security alarms) deprivation right to drive a vehicle for a period of 1 to 1.5 years (devices are confiscated) / confiscation of driving license, prohibition of vehicle operation with removal of state registration plates*
12.5 part 5 Use of devices when driving a vehicle to produce special light or sound signals (except for security alarms) installed without appropriate permission, deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for a period of 1.5 to 2 years (devices are confiscated) / confiscation of driving license, prohibition of operation Vehicles with state registration plates removed*
Why colored hair was banned
The point is simple. Of course, no one prohibits hair coloring, but specific colors or shades are prohibited.
It turns out that some people still consider people with colored hair to be LGBT representatives, so officials decided: only traditional shades.
The topic of non-traditional communities in Russia irritates many; the authorities are trying to take control of the problem, but so far they have not succeeded.
Officials generally began to monitor colors and shades in public places. Even ice cream in a rainbow wrapper has recently attracted interest, with officials suggesting that these colors may appeal to children.
Why are they banned?
The 2022 legislation is quite strict regarding light violations on cars. Perhaps, only the tinting is more strictly regulated. Thus, quite recently, the judicial practice when people were deprived of their rights for xenon and LED lamps was abolished.
This practice of violations regarding headlights probably developed due to the danger of driving with the possibility of blinding oncoming drivers, since this creates a high risk of accidents with injuries and deaths - when a collision occurs with oncoming cars.
