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Illinois passed a law effective 1-1-20, stating that it will be illegal to have any type of tinting on head or tail lights. Does this mean it's going to be illegal to have smoked lenses on our bikes? Any smart legal minds out there that can shed some light on this?
Lights don't come from the factory smoked or tinted. The "smoked" LED lights aren't actually smoked (darkened) and they aren't tinted (darkened). The intent of the law would be to keep people from applying a smoke or tint to a stock / factory / legal lens. Some idiots tint their brake / tail lights so dark you can't even see them in the daylight, and can barely see them at night. This is not the case with stock / factory / legal lenses. Current factory HD "smoked" lighting only looks smoked when the light it off, but is nice and visible when lit, so that's not the issue at all.
However if you apply a tint to, or smoke that factory lens, then you're going to be in violation, imo. But, as in true Illinois law maker style, they make the new laws crystal clear... ..
Does this mean operating a 2020 CVO with DOT approved factory equipped smoked brake light lenses will soon be illegal in the land of Lincoln? Just another reason to steer clear.
Highway-any public way for vehicular travel which has been laid out in pursuance of any law of this State, or of the Territory of Illinois, or which has been established by dedication, or used by the public as a highway for 15 years, or which has been or may be laid out and connect a subdivision or platted land with a public highway and which has been dedicated for the use of the owners of the land included in the subdivision or platted land where there has been an acceptance and use under such dedication by such owners, and which has not been vacated in pursuance of law. The term "highway" includes rights of way, bridges, drainage structures, signs, guard rails, protective structures and all other structures and appurtenances necessary or convenient for vehicular traffic. A highway in a rural area may be called a "road", while a highway in a municipal area may be called a "street".
Code:
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 196.)
"
This is similar to the CA law. If it's built by public funds, open for public travel and maintained by public money, it's a "highway." So, streets, avenues, boulevards, way's etc. are all, by definition, highways.
Ray
I appreciate that. It is pretty clear that a highway is any and all roadways for public travel. Thanks, Ray.
The truth be known, I was too lazy to search the legal definition of "highway". I'm sitting here with a belly full of ham and, for the moment, 8 sleepy dogs. There may be more coming.
I was told by a young LEO tonight that my tag light wasn't working.......
wonder what the bright white light between my tail light and my tag is then, because it is definitely working
fishing expedition..........
I am going to say, if the lense is DOT approved...it is legal...if it is not DOT approved it is already technically illegal...DOT approved tinted lenses are not dark enough for anyone to notice ...
I am going to say, if the lense is DOT approved...it is legal...if it is not DOT approved it is already technically illegal...DOT approved tinted lenses are not dark enough for anyone to notice ...
Just another stupid law for them to generate funds. I understand not being able to run blue lights, but never did understand some of the other silly crap they come up with. I think it's illegal to run more than 3 white lights on the front of the bike too. That really seems stupid to me. You would think the more the better to be seen with.
Maybe make the light tint law like the window tint law here in Missouri, no more than 35% tint.
I have lived in several states and IL, as far as government and dealing with government regulatory bodies, such as professional licensing, was the absolute worst. I am not surprised that they would come up with such a bizarre law. Upstate and downstate IL is like living in two different countries.
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