lighted displays on vehicles

[AyatollahGondola]

Has anyone else noticed some of these newer delivery bobtails with lighted displays that nearly resemble rolling big screen tv's? Are these vehicles really legal? I think I've seen some portion of the VC that deals with lighting around license plates, but I don't know if there's a specific portion that prohibits this type of advertisement.

[PapaBear]

Vehicle With Unlawful Lamps

24003. No vehicle shall be equipped with any lamp or illuminating device not required or permitted in this code, nor shall any lamp or illuminating device be mounted inside a vehicle unless specifically permitted by this code. This section does not apply to:

(a) Interior lamps such as door, brake and instrument lamps, and map, dash, and dome lamps designed and used for the purpose of illuminating the interior of the vehicle.

(b) Lamps needed in the operation or utilization of those vehicles mentioned in Section 25801, or vehicles used by public utilities in the repair or maintenance of their service, or used only for the illumination of cargo space of a vehicle while loading or unloading.

(c) Warning lamps mounted inside an authorized emergency vehicle and meeting requirements established by the department.

Amended Ch. 723, Stats. 1979. Effective January 1, 1980.

Illuminated Signs

25353.

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 25400 and 25950, a bus operated by a publicly owned transit system on regularly scheduled service may be equipped with illuminated signs that include destination signs, route-number signs, run-number signs, public service announcement signs, or a combination thereof, visible from any direction of the vehicle, that emit any light color, other than the color red emitted from forward-facing signs, pursuant to the following conditions:

(1) Each illuminated sign shall emit diffused nonglaring light.

(2) Each illuminated sign shall be limited in size to a display area of not greater than 720 square inches.

(3) Each illuminated sign shall not resemble nor be installed in a position that interferes with the visibility or effectiveness of a required lamp, reflector, or other device upon the vehicle.

(4) Each illuminated sign shall display information directly related to public transit service, including, but not limited to, route number, destination description, run number, and public service announcements.

(5) The mixing of individually colored light emitting diode elements, including red, is allowed as long as the emitted color formed by the combination of light emitting diode elements is not red.

(b)

(1) An illuminated sign may be operated as a dynamic message sign in a paging or streaming mode.

(2) The following definitions shall govern the construction of paragraph (1):

(A) “Paging,” meaning character elements or other information presented for a period of time and then disappearing all at once before the same or new elements are presented, is permitted if the display time of each message is between 2.7 and 10 seconds. Blanking times between each message shall be between 0.5 and 25 seconds.

(B) “Streaming,” meaning character elements or other information moving smoothly and continuously across the display, is permitted if the character movement time, from one end of the display to the other, is at least 2.7 seconds, and the movement time of the entire message does not exceed 10 seconds.

(c) A regulation adopted pursuant to this section shall comply with applicable federal law, including, but not limited to, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.).

Added Sec. 2, Ch. 881, Stats. 2006. Effective January 1, 2007.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vctoc.htm

[AyatollahGondola]

thanks for the excerpt PapaBear,

Seems fairly clear that the code prohibits that.

[2100VC]

With flashing lights (or sign), there is no real issue, but what if the sign is set to a static display? The following section is for just that purpose. (i.e. taxi, pizza guy etc.) The sign they are using just may fall under the provisions of this section.

25400. (a) Any vehicle may be equipped with a lamp or device on the
exterior of the vehicle that emits a diffused nonglaring light of
not more than 0.05 candela per square inch of area.
(b) Any diffused nonglaring light shall not display red to the
front, but may display other colors. A diffused nonglaring light
shall not resemble nor be installed within 12 inches or in such
position as to interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any
required lamp, reflector, or other device upon the vehicle.
(c) A diffused nonglaring lamp or device, other than a display
sign authorized by subdivision (d), shall be limited in size to an
area of 720 square inches and where any lease, rental, or donation is
involved the installation of the lamp or device shall be limited to
those vehicles operated either primarily within business or
residential districts or municipalities, or between business
districts, residential districts, and municipalities in close
proximity.
(d) An internally illuminated sign emitting not more than 0.25
candela per square inch and possessing copy which does not contain a
white background may be displayed on each side, but not on the front
or rear, of a trolley coach or of a bus being operated in urban or
suburban service as described in Section 35107 of this code.

[AyatollahGondola]

I've seen at least two of these trucks around town lately, and I was just looking at some info from the companies that manufacture them: "
State-of-the-Art programmable scrolling systems
Brilliantly illuminated advertisement for stunning night viewing ".

As is usual for sales promotions, no mention of checking local laws first.

[AyatollahGondola]

So here's the latest ad truck running around town.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFaZxVKNK4g

[_J_]

Originally Posted by 2100VC

25400. (b) Any diffused nonglaring light shall not display red to the front, but may display other colors.

So...this is ILLEGAL? Looks that way to me..

The Logo lights up at night, displaying red to the front. You can see the truck in the back is lit up.

[highwaybs]

Seriously........do you think that will me mistaken as an emergency vehicle.......

[Mac]

Originally Posted by highwaybs

Seriously........do you think that will me mistaken as an emergency vehicle.......

My thoughts exactly.

Three words - "Sound...Professional...Judgment".

[Bradley]

for what its worth ... my computer tells me that there is some kind of "malware" coming from the website that hosts that picture of the truck.

[PapaBear]

Originally Posted by _J_

So...this is ILLEGAL? Looks that way to me..

The Logo lights up at night, displaying red to the front. You can see the truck in the back is lit up.

25400. (b) Any diffused nonglaring light shall not display red to the front, but may display other colors.

Read the section again! It says the "...LIGHT shall not display red to the front..." It does not say the illuminated sign cannot be red! Don't try to read into the section.

[_J_]

I know, spirit. Thats why I put the . Definitally wouldn't want to start a flame war with Safeway, lol.

[cjincognito]

Originally Posted by _J_

I know, spirit. Thats why I put the . Definitally wouldn't want to start a flame war with Safeway, lol.

Why not? It was a chippy that took down the geek squad! It's cool when you go over the border and see them still painted "old" school.

[HallOfPromise]

Originally Posted by cjincognito

Why not? It was a chippy that took down the geek squad! It's cool when you go over the border and see them still painted "old" school.

I noticed this during my last venture to Reno a few weeks ago. Reminded me of this forum, as a matter of fact.

[LadyVol@330]

The thing I notice the most in Reno is all the tinted windows. Kind'a scary. Right now the place is rocking with Hot August Nights!