No matter what state you live in, you can`t have red or blue headlights. Most importantly, you won`t be able to display flashing or red or blue indoor lights. When you dye your headlights, the color of the light emitted does not necessarily change. It depends on the darkness of your hue and how it affects the VLT (visible light transmission) index. Most vehicles have standard headlights that emit a yellowish light. However, there are bulbs on the market that have different colors. They are marketed as “blue” or “super blue,” and there is a lot of uncertainty about their safety and legality. New Yorkers must use their headlights half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise. Your vehicle`s headlights cover about 350 feet in front of you, so it`s important that you drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely for that distance. Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day due to limited visibility, so always slower when the sun goes down. Most people`s ability to see well at night decreases with age, so be aware of this fact every birthday.

Also, pay attention to your passengers when using your high beam and switch to your low beam if you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet of a vehicle in front of you. Motorcycles in New York must have their headlights on at all hours of the day or night. This helps other riders see motorcycles better on the road and avoid fatal road accidents. Cyclists must use a white headlight visible up to 500 feet and a red taillight visible up to 300 feet when riding between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise. Similarly, these lights help New Yorkers see cyclists better to avoid accidents and injuries. Lighthouse laws vary slightly from state to state, and violating these laws could result in your arrest and issuance of a speeding ticket. If you`re planning to take a road trip to another state, check that state`s vehicle code to make sure you know all the rules of the road that you may not be used to. When in doubt, leave your headlights on! Many modern cars have automatic headlights that come on as soon as the ignition is turned. Even if your vehicle`s headlights are in automatic mode, it`s important to understand headlight laws in case you need to drive a family member`s car or rent a car. These are a few important things you should know about lighthouse laws in New York State. The safest thing you can do is avoid coloring or tinting your headlights because it`s illegal. First, understand that “blue” headlights are not really blue.

They are bright white. They only look blue because the light you`re so used to seeing headlights in a car is actually closer to yellow rather than white. This colored light applies to three types of headlights currently in use: The main thing is that colored headlights of any kind are illegal. The only colors you can use are white, warm white, and amber. Visibility: 500 ftOther ratings: All aftermarket headlights must meet DOT requirements. In New York City, you`ll need to turn on your headlights if your visibility is reduced to 1,000 feet or less. For reference, an American football field is 360 feet long. So if you feel you can`t see the length of three football fields, turn on your light. Other states have visibility limitation laws as low as 400 or 500 feet.

This is especially important on days of fog, snow or rain. In addition, you should always have your headlights on when using your windshield wipers, rain, snow, sleet or ice. High beams in headlights reflect rain and snow when they fall, making them harder to see, so only use your low beams when driving in wet weather. LED headlights: These may look blue, but are actually white. A: The federal Department of Transportation, which sets all motor vehicle regulations, requires that all new cars sold in the U.S. have white headlights. This does not prevent you from changing them yourself. However, state motor vehicle regulations almost always prohibit the use of colored headlights on the road.

Only the French insisted on demanding yellow headlights, at least until they joined the European Union and adapted their highway code to the rest of Europe. The focus on restricting blue headlights becomes confusing when you look at HID or high-intensity discharge headlights with a bluish tint. Visibility: 500 ftOther notes: Aftermarket colored bulbs, smoky hues and halo LED lamps are illegal. Colored or tinted headlights are a way to really make your car stand out, provided the color and transparency are chosen tastefully. For a HID conversion kit to be legal, the new lamp must match the OEM lamp in terms of features such as light intensity and ballast design. Xenon headlights: These are also called HID lights, and they can appear blue but really emit white light. However, HID conversion kits that are not OEM approved are illegal. If your car is not equipped with HID headlights, you cannot legally install non-HID headlights.

Each state has its own specific laws that govern the legal color of lighthouses and when they should be used. Most states require that the only colors allowed for lights at the front of a vehicle be white, yellow, and yellow. The rules for tail lights, brake lights and turn signals are equally strict. Why can`t colors other than white be used for headlights? It is a question of visibility. If you used blue, red or green headlights, you would be less visible to other drivers at night. You`d also have less visibility when driving at night, and driving in foggy conditions with colorful headlights would be incredibly dangerous. Although colorful headlights are completely illegal, you can get away with lightly tinted headlights in some states. Q: I purchased yellow headlights for my vehicle. I think they help me see better at night, especially when it`s raining.

I live in Washington State, the land of rain and fog. However, a friend of mine who has the same yellow lights was stopped by local authorities and warned to remove the yellow lights. If we can have yellow fog lights, why can`t we have yellow headlights? Red and blue lights are usually associated and used by emergency vehicles, so using these colors on your headlights is definitely illegal. And it`s the same reason why taillight tints aren`t legal. As long as HID headlights are OEM, they are considered legal because the automaker takes this into account. So you can definitely install “blue” or “super blue” headlights because the wavelength of the light is actually white. However, no other color can be used. One reason for this is to reinforce the white and yellow lines on the road and make sure reflective road signs are lit when you pass them. This means that they are legal to use. The only color projector that can be legally used in any state is white.

This means that you cannot use another color projector. Visibility: 500 ftOther information: The tint of the headlights is not allowed. However, there are laws regarding vehicle lighting that you should follow, especially if your car regularly travels on public roads. Super halogen blue: Blue or super blue halogen bulbs also produce white light. The reason for lighting restrictions is to make sure your car doesn`t look like an emergency vehicle. Other notes: Off-road lights can be installed on the roof or roll bars, but they must have opaque coverage on public roads. Visibility: 500 ftOther notes: Static and flashing red or blue lights and dark hues that reduce lighting are prohibited. And if you want to install replacement lamps, it is recommended to use only DOT certified products. Just ask Mike about it. Send questions to Auto Clinic, Popular Mechanics, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019-5899 or pmautoclinic@hearst.com.

While letters, faxes, telephone calls or e-mails cannot be answered individually, the column deals with issues of general interest. Other notes: Colors other than white are prohibited, except for special events such as parades. Another problem is that aftermarket HID conversion kits tend to exceed allowed brightness and safety limits, making your car more dangerous. As a general rule, avoid static, flashing red or blue lights. The laws also apply to fog lights. For example, ice blue, purple, green, red or any color other than white, warm white and amber are not allowed. However, the difference between the hue and color of the headlights is worth noting: Are tinted taillights legal: Your state-by-state guide Additional notes: Static and flashing red or blue lights are prohibited. VLT: 28%Other ratings: A slightly weak white or blue light is allowed as long as the emitted light is white.