Thread: Defect Notice for Roof Rack Lights

Originally Posted by BMKal

Years ago I was chatted by a couple of coppers in Kalgoorlie for having forward facing spot lights on the roof of a work Prado. It had a roof bar towards the rear of the vehicle, which had the usual minesite repeat indicators / tail / brake lights, the obligatory orange flashing beacon in the centre, and two small hella driving lights facing forward - which were correctly wired with regard to high beam and independent switching.

As the coppers were telling me that I could be defected for these lights, a (well known locally) dark green Falcon ute with a row of four or five large Hella driving lights (Rallye 4,000 or similar) mounted across its roll bar above the roof line drove past. I advised the two coppers (politely) that if they were to defect my vehicle, I would be raising with the appropriate authorities that this green Falcon ute seemed to be immune to Police attention.

The green Falcon belonged to and was driven by their sergeant ............... I was sent on my way with no action taken.

MMM I know the vehicle.
Most coppers down here reckon they have much better things to do than worry about where spotties are mounted. But having said that always a risk you could be pinged.
The spots on the rear bar were really common, ours usually angled out so you could do pipe checks.

If roof mounted lights are not legal in WA how do owners of these Jeeps get on - OEM roof mounted lights.

Originally Posted by garrycol

If roof mounted lights are not legal in WA how do owners of these Jeeps get on - OEM roof mounted lights.

OEM can get exemption. Just as wheel spacers are illegal but some cars have them factory fitted

I installed an isolator switch in the glove box as I can't reach this while I'm driving...well, not safely anyway.

Will argue the case next time I'm pulled over on the basis that the RMS advised me this would be ok.

Well, it happened again.

The delightful Sergeant Breaden of Windsor Highway Patrol, pulled a ridiculous and frankly unsafe 180 degree move on Kurrajong Road in the wet to pull me over and provide me with another defect notice.

When I explained that three separate people from the RMS had advised me that they are classed as 'work lights' as I can't operate them from the driving position, he laughed, and said "The RMS? They don't know anything about cars. I'm the COPS mate!"

What a ridiculous little man. He was so childish and belligerent in his attitude, he even gave me a defect that they can be switched on without the full beam. When I told him I'd already explained that wasn't the case, nor was it last time he pulled me over, and offered to show him to prove it, he just didn't care. He insisted that I get a full vehicle inspection and when I asked him why he didn't simply request a part inspection to ensure I'd rectified the defect, he became rather agitated and told me "Because you've got a defective vehicle mate!" and it was at this point I realised I was wasting my time trying to convince him that I'm not a drug dealer/ rapist/ people smuggler and simply repeated 'Yes Sergeant, Thank you Sergeant' until off he went on his merry way to find issues with other road users.

I shall file a formal complaint about his attitude and behaviour today. I get that he thinks my vehicle is defective but it's his attitude that appalls me.

I guess I have to remove the lights for good and suffer with worse vision while out in the bush.


Questions
If I replace the four lights with a single light bar, where can it be positioned? I've seen them in all manner of positions so it in't clear to me.
If I'm not allowed a light bar, what are my options for increasing light when I'm driving in the bush in the dark?

Work lights?? 4 x lights facing forward I assume. What’s your line of work.

Do you actually need the lights??

That particular person of authority just loves spot lights on roof racks and roof bars.
My son had the same issue with him on my S3.
I just took them off rather than argue.

I don't often need them for work - occasionally I'll be in a paddock in the bush doing horsey stuff but it was more that the RMS suggested calling them work lights based on the controls for them...it seems the RMS are fed up of getting calls about over enthusiastic members of the NSW Constabulary defecting people when the rules are a 'Grey area'.

I do often use them when exploring and camping so I can justify the need for them in terms of safety, so I'm considering a single light bar up there instead to be compliant.