LandoSystem wrote:That's so wrong for so many reasons.
If it's illegal, not only could you get a big ticket, they could impound your lights and siren.
Check if it's legal. If it's illegal, don't do it. Ignorance of the law is no excuse and you aren't exempt from the law because you play dress up on the weekends.
I'm speaking from experience. I've been driving my jeep for two years without an incident and we do volunteer work with the local PD at events. It's all fun and there's never been an incident because I respect people and don't use the lights EVER unless the vehicle is stationary and someone requests to see the lights on. I actually pull the fuse out most of the time. Parades are the only time the car moves with the lights on.
Boomer will tell you. He's had his Ecto all over the country. As long as you aren't being an idiot about it, you will probably be fine. He's written guides and answered this question so many times. It really comes down to why you're doing it and how you go about doing it.
Some people use a loophole, like Chace Ambrose, who mounted his control box out of reach while piloting the vehicle. Some people bag the light-bars 'out of service' while not at events. Some people don't encounter problems with leaving them mounted as they are, like our groups here in Oklahoma and Texas.
Your mileage may vary. Mounting rotating lights is a DOT violation in a lot of states, but STOP treating it like it's a criminal issue. No one is trying to impersonate a police officer, here.
proud founder of the Texhoma Ghostbusters and member of the Oklahoma Ghostbusters.