New State Laws On Headlight Color: Cool Effects Could Have Uncool Affects

Colored Accent and Effect Lighting Are Now Banned Under New KY Law

Darren Doyle, story:
A new house bill from the Kentucky General Assembly effective July 1, 2017 has banned the use of blue or other colored lights on any motor vehicle, with the exception of motorcycles, in any capacity unless they are law enforcement related.

Simply put, lights used for effects such as halos around headlights, under-vehicle glowing lights, or other similar colored accent other than white lighting are no longer allowed by law.

Sheriff Shane Doyle said while their users see the lights as harmless, blue or red accent lights on vehicles can be confused for emergency purposes and have caused approaching traffic to attempt to yield, slow down, or pull over when not necessary. He said this can be a traffic hazard. He also added that colored lights are sometimes distracting to other drivers.

While fines for accent lighting violations only run $20-$35, Doyle says his office is doing their best to warn motorists about the new law instead of writing citations.

"It's unreasonable for us to assume that everyone keeps up with the changing laws like we have to, so for the next few weeks we're trying to educate the public on the updated law," he said.

It's always been illegal for flashing or rotating lights to be used on civilian-operated vehicles, but the restrictions are now extended to colored aftermarket lighting products. Lights on the front of a vehicle may only be white with a slight amber or bluish tint, along with amber signal lights. Rear brake or signal lights can only consist of red, amber, or white.

The entire 17RS House Bill 74 can be read in full by clicking here.

"Anyone with questions can call the Sheriff's Office at 270-597-2157 and speak with an officer regarding the new law," Doyle said. "We don't make the laws, we just have to enforce them."