maybe this will reduce the rice factor

[pokerface]

article (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/announce/press/pressdisplay.cfm?year=2003&filename=pr21-03.html)

NHTSA 21-03
Friday, May 16, 2003 Contact: Tim Hurd
Telephone: (202) 366-9550

American Products Company To Pay
$650,000 Civil Penalty For Sale of Lamps
Not Meeting Safety Standards

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced today that American Products Company (APC) has agreed to pay a $650,000 civil penalty as a result of its manufacture, certification, and sale of replacement lamps that did not comply with federal safety standards.

Over the past several years, APC sold various models of noncomplying replacement tail lamps, commonly sold as "clear" tail lamps or "Eurotail" lamps. Some of the non-complying models replaced red lamps and reflectors with clear ones. Others were missing side marker lamps or reflectors.

APC also sold other noncompliant replacement lighting equipment, including clear corner and bumper lenses and high-intensity discharge (HID) conversion kits. The nonconforming equipment was sold by a variety of retailers. The lamps and lenses have been the subject of four recalls covering thousands of parts.

The parts and model numbers associated with these safety recalls are listed on NHTSA’s web site, http://www.nhtsa.gov/ under the recall numbers 99E-039, 00E-078, 01E-035 and 03E-014. Part and model numbers are located either on the lamps or on the packaging in which the lamps were sold. Consumers with questions about this or any other safety recall campaign should call NHTSA’s toll-free Auto Safety Hotline, (888) 327-4236.

[Kühl Carbon]

I am surprised actually, that there is not more talk of things like this on this board. The guys into resto rides and even ricers have had an awful lot of spirited discussion on NHTSA and thier stupid, biased lawsuits.

My opinion has always been:

If it doesn't affect anyone but me (ie: you have made a law "for my own good"), mind your own damn business. Seat belt laws are a fine example of this.

If it puts someone else (other than the owner) at risk, then it should be outlawed and regulated consistently and fairly.

I am sick of seeing NHTSA make "examples" out of companies and ppl who are not the biggest offenders hoping to have an effect on the aftermarket industry.

Our hobby has been in jeoprady for many years ... there are several organizations out there fighting for our rights .... get involved ppl.

[Denlasoul]

goto enjoytheride.com

It's the SEMA Action Network and they try and help deal with legal issues regarding aftermarket tuning.

[Under Pressure]

I have no idea what NHTA's intentions are, but maybe they are pursing this so that it won't look like enforcing such a thing has been "waived" by any inaction. For instance, if they don't enforce this, later on, some other product manufacturer may use that as a defense in a suit against him for disobeying some more serious motor vehicle law.

[dshr]

Thank God it'a about time I'm tired of seeing Grama's with a Civic and EuroTails :P

[Kühl Carbon]

Originally posted by dshr
Thank God it'a about time I'm tired of seeing Grama's with a Civic and EuroTails :P

OK, sorry, but I'm gonna pick on you a little bit. I understand what you are saying but you know... your clear corners are against the law... so are smoked tails... NHTSA could come along tomorrow and create a law that says:

You can't sport and bigger wheels than your car came with STOCK.

Now wouldn't that suck?!? It is your right, as far as I am concerned, to mod your car to your taste as long as you don't put anybody but yourself at risk. It's only the governments job to create laws that are in the publics best interest, and to Leandros point, NHTSA does an absolutely terrible job of enforcement. There are so many "illegal" products out there because of this.

[Rocky]

I remember hearing a story where some guy was driving behind a civic with those damn Altezza crap tail lights and he smashed right into the rear of the civic when the civic suddendly jammed on the brakes.

Naturally the guy who hit the civic was at fault for rear ending the guy..but guess what...the civic was found at fault. Those crap Altezza lights are not DOT approved and the guy who rear ended the civic said when he can't tell if the civic was braking cause the civic's lights were pink and not red.

Altezza/euro tail lights are not cool. They look ugly period. It's just as bad as those people with those LED windshield nozzle things.

[2phast]

Actually clear corners are not illegal, assuming you are running with an amber bulb in them. Inpro for example sells DOT approved markers and tail lights, so there are sources for approved products.

[dshr]

OK, sorry, but I'm gonna pick on you a little bit. I understand what you are saying but you know... your clear corners are against the law... so are smoked tails... NHTSA could come along tomorrow and create a law that says:


Who cares about clear corners and clear lights anyways I could care less. It's not a right to mod our cars their is no such thing. Laws are meant to be broken.

Even if all these bs laws pass I don't think it will stop many ethuisist from buying aftermartket parts for their cars.

[CKlasse]

... and the fire finally catches on bnzsport.com.

I am surprised it takes awhile for this subject to show up here :)

[Kühl Carbon]

Originally posted by dshr
Who cares about clear corners and clear lights anyways I could care less. It's not a right to mod our cars their is no such thing. Laws are meant to be broken.

Even if all these bs laws pass I don't think it will stop many ethuisist from buying aftermartket parts for their cars.

Haha, WHOA, slow down there cowboy. Go back and READ my post. It's not about clear corners and lights ... and yes it is your right and mine to modify ANYTHING we might OWN without the government interfering, provided it doesn't cause bodily harm to anyone else (homes and propety is another thing that burns my @$$).

This is about our right to choose. I does affect a lot of ppls decision to buy a product if the government has decided to make it illegal ... even if it is for thier own selfish, self-serving reasons.

... and you are wrong. If aftermarket parts are made illegal, demand will diminish and therefore supply will dry up. The aftermarket companies will be put out of business and YOUR RIGHT to choose will effectively be gone. I mean, not to many companies want to go into business making illegal parts and then marketing them in national magazines :P . You can't purchase what is not available

[Brabus]

!5" stockies for me!

[Dr. ///AMG]

ohhhh booyy.. ya all done it: Ya all gonna be taken to jail by the Sheriff YYEEEHHAWW!!

[Kühl Carbon]

Originally posted by Dr. ///AMG
ohhhh booyy.. ya all done it: Ya all gonna be taken to jail by the Sheriff YYEEEHHAWW!!

I think I need to check you for a fever .... but I only have one kind of thermometer :P .