DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a strobe light on top of my truck, which I use when I plow. I got stopped by Auburn police saying it is not legal to have on a personal truck, even though I only turn it on when I back into the street.

Another officer said he never heard of such a thing. Could you find out if I am breaking the law? Thanks. — G.A.Lev., Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots visit to the Maine statute turned up the following at www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-a/title29-asec2054.html:

“A vehicle engaged in snow removal or sanding operations on a public way must be equipped with and display at least two auxiliary lights mounted on the highest practical point on the vehicle and provide visible light coverage over a 360-degree range. The lights must emit an amber beam of light, be at least 6 inches in diameter and be equipped with blinking attachments.

“In lieu of the lights specified, a vehicle may be equipped with at least one auxiliary rotating flashing light having 4-inch sealed beams and showing amber beams of light over a 360-degree range or an amber strobe, or combination of strobes, that emits at a minimum a beam of 1,000,000 candlepower and provides visible light coverage over a 360-degree range.

“When the left wing of a plow is in operation and extends over the center of the road, an auxiliary light must show the extreme end of the left wing. That light may be attached to the vehicle so that the beam of light points at the left wing. The light illuminating the left wing may be controlled by a separate switch or by the regular lighting system and must be in operation at all times when the vehicle is used for plowing snow on public ways.

“A vehicle equipped and used for plowing snow on other than public ways may be equipped with an auxiliary rotary flashing light that must be mounted on top of the vehicle in such a manner as to emit an amber beam of light over a 360-degree angle, or an amber strobe, or combination of strobes, that emits at a minimum a beam of 50 candlepower and provides visible light coverage over a 360-degree range.

“The light may be in use on a public way only when the vehicle is entering the public way in the course of plowing private driveways and other off-highway locations.”

Sun Spots did not receive a response to her email to the Auburn Police Department, so she emailed her favorite contact at the Lewiston Police Department, Sgt. David Chick, who noted the same section of code Sun Spots found. He also inquired about the color of the light on G.A.’s truck. It must be amber, not white or any other color. He added:

“From what your reader provides for information, there does not appear to be any violation of the statute; his use of the light would seem to be deliberately purposed. The most frequent violation we encounter is when a private use vehicle is operating all around town on the public ways while keeping the light going, or not activating any warning light when encroaching on the public roadway at the opening of a driveway being plowed.”

Sun Spots suggests G.A. makes sure that he is following the letter of the laws listed above. He might also carry a printout of this column in his truck in case he’s stopped by an officer who is unfamiliar with the rules.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On a daily basis I see three or four vehicles with light problems, with one light out, or only one bright light working. 

Checking lights regularly could save the price of a ticket. If you don’t have anyone to help you, you can shine your lights into a reflecting surface, such as the glass windows of a store, preferably in a business that is closed and dark inside. 

Drivers should check all of their lights, including supplemental lights, such as fog and parking lights, brake lights and turn signals, not just headlights. — No Name, Lewiston

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