s2kdriver80

When cops are hiding in the median or along the shoulder of highways to catch speeders and it's dark out, are they required to have at least some kind of light on? What is the law in New York State (specifically in Suffolk County, if applicable)? I'm asking since I vaguely remember hearing from somewhere that cops/troopers must have at least parking lights on in the dark to make their presence known. I could have misheard.

RL1924

Put it this way even if there off.. Whats going to hold in court the guy speeding saying the cops lights were off or the cop saying there on.. Either way were screwed

GRUNTS2K

shamoo

I've always wondered this as well. Just yesterday on Route 36 in Eatontown, NJ there was a cop sitting there with his lights off catching speeders. I've also seen them with parking lights on.

Curious to know the answer...

bungholio

There is NO state law that law enforcement needs to leave their lights on in NY or any other state that I know of as long as they are not impeding vehicular traffic and not causing a road hazard.

s2kdriver80

True, but one could try to bluff and have the cop believe he had been recorded, in which case he may fess up and admit his error to avoid consequences.

In any event, was wondering whether such a law exists.

RL1924

Yea I guess In my past IMO at least being wise and trying to do "trick" or "lie" with cops just ends up getting you in more trouble.

shamoo

If that is indeed the case, why do some of them "hide" in the dark, but have their orange parking lights on? I can spot them a mile away. Is it because the buttons on their dash light up so they can see the radio that they're listening to while waiting to catch speeders?

RL1924

^ That would be my guess keeps there inside lights dash and what not light up.

bungholio

My guess is they leave their parking lights on so they have usage of their accessories lights on their equipment. I have seen some with and some without their lights on, it could be for a number of reasons.