Marks-VY said:
Back to the original thread and as always, I am being the worry wart - but what is are the current legalities of LED lights? From what I understood (and I hope I can stand corrected), LED's are not ADR approved other than the supplementary centre brake light typically found in the rear wing, some trucks and some European cars.
I understood the approval process is drawn out which has not progressed much (which is possibly why Australian vehicles still have the standard globes).
Whilst it is a fact that LED's illuminate so much quicker (which can make all the difference at 110km/h) and they last much longer than a standard globe, the "red tape" is holding them back.
Therefore if you have an accident in which someone rear-ends you, the insurance company have every right to reject your claim against the stupid prick behind you that was not watching the road (or was maybe mesmorised by the fancy brake lights.....!).
Can anyone tell me I am wrong (based on documentary evidence, not what "my mate" told me)..
All I can see for SA is:
"88—Performance of tail lights
(1) When on, a tail light of a vehicle must:
(a) show a red light visible 200 metres from the rear of the vehicle; and
(b) not use over 7 watts power.
(2) A tail light fitted to a street rod vehicle may incorporate a blue lens not over 20 millimetres in diameter.
(3) A street rod vehicle is a vehicle that has been modified for safe road use and that:
(a) has a body and frame that were built before 1949; or
(b) is a replica of a vehicle the body and frame of which were built before 1949.
89—Wiring of tail lights
A tail light of a motor vehicle must be wired to come on, and stay on, when a parking light or headlight on the vehicle is on, unless an external switch is fitted to operate the tail light."
and
"99—Performance and operation of brake lights
(1) When on, a brake light must show a red light visible 30 metres from the rear of the vehicle.
(2) A brake light fitted to a street rod vehicle may incorporate a blue lens not over 20 millimetres in diameter.
(3) A brake light fitted to a motor vehicle must come on, if it is not already on, when:
(a) for a vehicle with 4 or more wheels or built after 1974—a service brake is applied; or
(b) for another vehicle—the rear wheel brake is applied.
(4) Subrule (3) does not apply if the controls in the vehicle that start the engine are in a position that makes it impossible for the engine to operate.
(5) A brake light on a trailer must come on when:
(a) the brake light of the towing vehicle comes on; or
(b) a brake control on the towing vehicle, which independently activates the service brake on the trailer, is operated.
(6) A brake light may be operated by an engine brake, retarder, or similar device if the device does not interfere with the proper operation of the brake light.
(7) A street rod vehicle is a vehicle that has been modified for safe road use and that:
(a) has a body and frame that were built before 1949; or
(b) is a replica of a vehicle the body and frame of which were built before 1949."
