Did you know that by law every flat deck utility vehicle must display a rear tail lamp if parked on the roadside? We didn’t…until recently.
A valued client had a driver fined for parking a ute on the side of the road, without displaying a rear position lamp. This regulation is documented in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004(rule 32005) section 7:
‘7.4 Fitting and performance requirements for rearward-facing position lamps
7.4(4) A motor vehicle of Group M, N or T, or an unclassified motor vehicle (other than one in Schedule 3):
(a) must be fitted with one, or one or two pairs of rearward-facing lamps, emitting light that is visible from a distance of 200 m during the hours of darkness; and
(b) if fitted with a single rearward-facing position lamp, must have this lamp positioned at, or to the right of, the longitudinal centre-line of the vehicle.
7.4(5) A motor vehicle of Group L, M, N or T, or an unclassified motor vehicle (other than one in Schedule 3), first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978 and that exceeds 1.5 m in width, must be fitted with one or two pairs of rearward-facing position lamps that emit light that is visible from a distance of 200 m during the hours of darkness.
7.4(6) The lamps in 7.4(4) and 7.4(5) must be fitted at a height not exceeding 1.5 m from the ground, or at a height not exceeding 2.1 m from the ground if the shape of the bodywork of the vehicle makes it impracticable to comply with the 1.5-m height restriction.
7.4(7) In addition to the lamps in 7.4(4) and 7.4(5), an unclassified motor vehicle (other than one in Schedule 3) may be fitted with one pair of additional rearward-facing position lamps provided that they are positioned as close as practicable to the top of the bodywork of the vehicle.
7.4(8) In addition to the lamps specified in 7.4(4) and 7.4(5), a heavy motor vehicle may be fitted with an additional pair of rearward-facing position lamps provided that they are positioned as close as practicable to the top of the bodywork of the vehicle.
7.4(9) A motor vehicle in Schedule 3:
(a) may be fitted with one or more rearward-facing position lamps; and
(b) when operated during the hours of darkness, must be fitted with at least one rearward-facing position lamp that emits light that is visible from a distance of 100 m.
7.4(10) A goods vehicle that is a heavy motor vehicle or that is a vehicle fitted with a flat deck or tray for the transport of goods, whether or not it is equipped with sideboards and tailboards, must be fitted with a rearward-facing position lamp to indicate the presence of the vehicle while parked or left on a roadway during the hours of darkness.
7.4(11) A rearward-facing position lamp in 7.4(10) must: (a) be fitted within 300 mm of the extreme rear end of the vehicle and within 300 mm of the extremity of the side of the vehicle closest to the middle of the road; and
b) when operated, emit light that is visible from a distance of 100 m.’
Most modern utes have the capacity to activate the right-hand tail light on by simply turning on the right-hand indicator and locking the vehicle. While this complies with the law, there are two clear disadvantages – one being the battery could run flat, making life difficult the next morning, and the other being that the driver must remember to turn the light on.
So, we think we found a pretty convenient solution – a solar powered light option with a light sensitive activation. See here for the specs sheet:
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