Isn't that a state-by-state law, though??
all states will say they have to be visible *** feet from the vehicle, most states have wording such as "under all lighting conditions" or "in direct sunlight". reason is, we all know the difference between OFF and ON at night are readily visible. the difference between off and on in direct sunlight, however, takes a much brighter light to overcome the ambient lighting. case in point- u are sitting at a red light with the sun shining on it and cant tell unless u are right up on it if its red or green or what. same with the tails. cant tell if they are on or not if the sun is on them until one is too close.
and to top it off...all states have the same basic throw down law. something along the lines of "if its not specified in this code, it has to meet the standards set forth by the federal motor vehicle saftey standards (FMVSS)" so...since no state is going to have a law permitting a tinting film or spray or other light reducing material placed onto a lens, it will have the abilty to say it has to meet the FMVSS and find a violation in the modified light. FMVSS is very very strict in its standards so basically any aftermarket light hasnt been FMVSS approved even if it woudl probally meet all the requirements. its just too hard to do. these sonar LED tails havent been FMVSS approved...so techincally i supposed one could make a big deal about it...although the spirit of the law is also something that comes up in trial not just the letter of the law so a brighter faster reacting lamp is most likely not going to be found guilty in violation of the throw down law or state law but a tinted, harder to see, and non or less reflective lense will easily be found in violation. remember, light output is only part of it. the fact that you have to have rear reflectors also plays into it and a dark tinted light wont reflect at all or at least not as visibly as a non tinted lamp.
anything else?
if u ever get bored, dig some reading on the FMVSS standards.... i brought it up in another thread on seatblet modifications but they really do specify all sorts of things. ever wonder why things are the way they are in your car? FMVSS is to blame....
but in all honesty, dark tail lights have contributed to several accidents that i have personally worked during daylight hours because the brightness just inst there. night really isnt an issue.
off soap box.
-officer kill joy.
I'm thinking that this is not correct.
thanks for the info 2005yukonxl 
