Q The police warned me recently about
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using a flashing lamp on a Land-Rover when towing a broken-down vehicle. I thought the idea was that these lamps would warn other people that a vehicle is being towed. What are the rules concerning flashing lamps?
AThe regulations governing the fitting and
use of these lamps are contained in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1964, paragraphs 45 and 45A. Flashing amber lights and swivelling spot-lights are permitted on breakdown vehicles but the flashing lamps must be fitted as near as possible on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and not less than 5ft from the ground. The bulb in the lamp must not exceed 36W and the flashing rate must be between 60 and 150 times per minute.
The lamps must not be used when towing a broken down or damaged vehicle—the regulations only permit them to be used in the immediate vicinity of the breakdown or accident to warn other road users of the obstruction. Swivelling lights if fitted must also be at least 5ft from the ground and only used in the immediate vicinity of the breakdown or accident and at the same time that the amber light is flashing.