Is it illegal to have a spinning red light on top of your car?

Question

What is the law when it comes to having a red spinning siren (but it doesnt make any noise) on top of your car (if you are not a cop or anything). What would an officer do? is it illegal even if you just go around for fun?

Answer 1

It is absolutely illegal in California. Drive around with a red light on top of your car and you will almost certainly be pulled over and cited or arrested.

Answer 2

First, A siren makes noise. Thats why its called a siren.Look up siren in a dictionary.. No noise, its called a light. Sirens don't spin. Lights spin, blink, flash etc. Second, how is having a red light on your car fun? So people think you may be a cop? Thats not fun, its illegal. Every state has laws on lights. Usually, unless its factory installed, you can't have ANY add on lights of any color without a reason. For example, in NY, Green is only for the private cars volunteer ambulance personell, Blue is for Vol FD private cars, yellow is for construction, security, tow etc and red is solely for authorized emergency vehicles. The law is so strict in NY that police cars, up until this year, were actually NOT allowed to have blue lights, as the law specifies they are ONLY for Vol. FD. Now police cars on highways are allowed to have them due to better visability associated with blue color.
To answer your question, you would most likely face a ticket and could have your car impounded. You would probably be pulled over within a day or two of installing it. If someone accuses you of using it, you could face criminal charges of impersonation. Definitely not "fun".

Answer 3

A spinning red light on the roof of your car would be classified as "emergency equipment" to be used by fire/rescue personnel.
Police Officers use blue lights.
Tow trucks, plows, and some security guards may use amber lights.
You would be pulled over and either given a warning or a ticket, depending on the cop's mood and your attitude.

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Answer 4

In some jurisdictions you may be allowed to have a red strobe (or spinning) light on your vehicle if you are an accredited Volunteer Fireman, and you have fulfilled all requirements of your Department. This is true in Virginia and Alabama, and I suspect many other jurisdictions.

Answer 5

Yes, it is illegal, because as it was explained to me, it can be misconstrued as an emergency vehicle or the like, and you can be charged with impersonation of an officer.

Answer 6

I sure hope it's illegal. I have watched too many movies and can think of lots of ways innocent people could be preyed upon by malicious people pretending to be cops or other "officials."

Answer 7

Yes! It's called impersonating a Police Officer, a felony in most states. Don't do it!!!

Answer 8

Yes it's illegal.

Answer 9

Yes, in most areas, this is illegal.

Answer 10

I Like NYTRAINOPS answer