Amber Lights Ok to Use in Certain Circumstances

What interesting weather we’re having -- rain, fog, a little snow, warm temperatures, down-right cold temperatures, cloudy and sunny -- and that’s in the past two weeks. My brother bought a new snow-blower last fall and hasn’t had a chance to use it yet. He says it’s the best anti-snow insurance he could have bought.

Matt Smith asks, “Can a person legally use an amber light to back-up in a large parking lot, or use them on the side of the road? I have seen lots of people use them, especially snow plow drivers private and public. Can I use them on my vehicle?”

The answer to Matt’s question is found in MCL 257.698 which covers all sorts of lights and how those lights can be utilized. I am going to quote the sections of the law as it relates to Matt’s question. This question is answered in two parts.

The first part is of the answer is found in MCL 257.698(5) which states, “The use or possession of flashing, oscillating or rotating lights of any color is prohibited except as otherwise provided by law, or under the following circumstances.” That tells us there is a law covering a long list of uses for various lights.

The second part of the answer, and specific, to Matt’s question about “amber lights” is found in MCL 257.698(5)f. This sub-section gives us the specific definition of when amber lights can be utilized:

• A vehicle to perform public utility service.
• A vehicle owned or leased by and licensed as a business for use in the collection and hauling of refuse.
• An automobile service car or wrecker.
• A vehicle engaged in authorized highway repair or maintenance,
• A vehicle of a peace officer.
• A vehicle operated by a rural letter carrier or a person under contract to deliver newspapers or other publications by motor route.
• A vehicle utilized for snow removal.
• A private security guard vehicle as authorized in subsection (7).
• A motor vehicle while engaged in escorting or transporting an oversize load that has been issued a permit by the state transportation department or a local authority with respect to highways under its jurisdiction.
• A vehicle owned by the national guard or a United States military vehicle while traveling under the appropriate recognized military authority.
• A motor vehicle while towing an implement of husbandry, or an implement of husbandry may be equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights.
• However, a wrecker may be equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red lights which shall be activated only when the wrecker is engaged in removing or assisting a vehicle at the scene of a traffic accident or disablement. The flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights shall not be activated except in those circumstances that the warning produced by the lights is required for public safety.

Finally, can a person use amber lights on their personal vehicles: Yes, but only in the limited instances described in MCL 257.698(5)f. To use amber lights in another manner would be a civil infraction.

Reader suggests a tip for checking speedometers

Frank Remenar responds to a previous “” article regarding who is responsible for the accuracy of vehicle speedometers. Frank has a very good suggestion concerning how drivers can check their speedometer.

Frank suggests a driver utilize a Global Positioning System (GPS) such as a Garmin, or other similar device, to check the vehicle speedometer. I’ve done this myself and my GPS unit is within two miles per hour (mph) of my speedometer. Thanks for a great suggestion Frank.

If you have a question, please send it to askatrooper12@gmail.com or mail it to the Michigan State Police – Brighton Post, 4803 S. Old US-23, Brighton, MI 48114.