Varia rear light worth it?

[Alex321]

Not the best of pictures, taken from a moving vehicle. But blue flashing lights on what is clearly not an emergency vehicle. And fully road legal.
View attachment 665081

No, it is not "fully road legal". Thos lights can obviously be seen from the rear.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/part/II

"(2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp [F3or retro reflective material] which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except–"

And the list of exceptions does not include blue lights other than on a police vehicle.

 

[Alex321]

Notice loads of vehicles with flashing lights,I actually noticed a mobility scooter hire van today with lights flashing.I also know a tyre fitter who has flashing lights on his vehicle.

Amber flashing lights are allowed on quite a large range of vehicles.
"amber light from a warning beacon fitted to–
(i)a road clearance vehicle;
(ii)a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;
(iii)a breakdown vehicle;
(iv)a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;
(v)a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;
(vi)a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(vii)a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(viii)a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under section 44 of the Act;
[F5(ix)a vehicle used for escort purposes;]
(x)a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;
(xi)a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;
(xii)a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;"

The mobile tyre fitter will class as a breakdown vehicle for that purpose. Not sure about the mobility scooter vehicle.

 

[classic33]

No, it is not "fully road legal". Thos lights can obviously be seen from the rear.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/part/II

"(2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp [F3or retro reflective material] which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except–"

And the list of exceptions does not include blue lights other than on a police vehicle.

Must tell the fire and ambulance service then.

 

[classic33]

Amber flashing lights are allowed on quite a large range of vehicles.
"amber light from a warning beacon fitted to–
(i)a road clearance vehicle;
(ii)a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;
(iii)a breakdown vehicle;
(iv)a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;
(v)a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;
(vi)a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(vii)a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(viii)a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under section 44 of the Act;
[F5(ix)a vehicle used for escort purposes;]
(x)a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;
(xi)a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;
(xii)a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;"

The mobile tyre fitter will class as a breakdown vehicle for that purpose. Not sure about the mobility scooter vehicle.

Rotating amber beacon, not an amber flashing/strobing light.

 

[Alex321]

Must tell the fire and ambulance service then.

Yes, I should have said emergency vehicles, rather than police. Although the dome lights are red & white for Fire service, and Green & white for ambulances. But all of them have other lights which are blue. They are still only allowed to be used when the vehicle is being used for emergency purposes.

 

[Alex321]

Rotating amber beacon, not an amber flashing/strobing light.

Not necessarily. It is defined as "flashing or rotating"

“Warning beacon”

A lamp that is capable of emitting a flashing or rotating beam of light throughout 360° in the horizontal plan"

 

[HLaB]

Question for those that use this or similar rear lights.

Is it your primary rear light or your secondary rear light?

In the summer its my primary and only light but as it gets darker I back it up with another rear light. I don't think I would class either as the primary or secondary light though.

 

[Milzy]

I love mine sooooooooooo much.

 

[Adam4868]

Ok after listening to all the evidence....pros and cons I'd have one.
If they weren't so damn expensive !

 

[Sea of vapours]

RTL515 currently at £130. Not that that isn't pretty expensive still, but it's a good bit less than the normal £170.

 

[cougie uk]

Ok after listening to all the evidence....pros and cons I'd have one.
If they weren't so damn expensive !

The radar sensor itself is a bit cheaper. Then just use your own light

 

[Adam4868]

The radar sensor itself is a bit cheaper. Then just use your own light

Thanks....I didn't know they were seperate thingys ?

 

[Milkfloat]

Thanks....I didn't know they were seperate thingys ?

They don't have to be. There are 3 models. Radar only, radar with light, radar with light and camera.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Thanks....I didn't know they were seperate thingys ?

The RVR315 is just a radar unit with no light. I don't have one but I think it's basically just the Varia without a light.

The main advantage of this is that no one can jump out of a hedge and stop you and say "Excuse me, but I couldn't help noticing that the frequency of flashing of your rear light appears to be variable, not constant, which is in contravention of RVRL part II 13.(2). What do you have to say to that then, eh? eh?" I can tell you it's always happening to me and it gets a bit annoying.

Oh, and it's cheaper.

 

[cougie uk]

I think the one with the light has a slightly bigger battery for longer rides if that's important.