If you are a car junkie, you already know that you have a plethora of options when it comes to car customization. You can change the factory color of the car, put in a new stereo system, or even add some jacked up wheels. That being said, one of the most popular customization options currently available is lighting. You will find that drivers in Canada are not only changing out their factory head and tail lights, but they are also adding underglow lights to their undercarriage. Underglow lights are truly amazing and create quite a look, but they also make your vehicle more prominent on the road.
The only problem with underglow lights in Canada is that they have drawn a lot of mixed reviews. Some individuals will tell you that these types of lights are illegal, while others will swear up and down that they are legal. So, what’s the truth? Is underglow illegal in Canada? The Highway Traffic Act currently says nothing specific about underglow lights or the specific colors available, but there are other stipulations that one must take into account.
What Are Underglow Lights?
Underglow lights, also known as ground effects lighting, are installed on the bottom of vehicles. The lights are designed in long and short tubes and contain high levels of neon gas. The neon gas is responsible for producing a red coloring. When the neon gas is combined with other gases, such as mercury, carbon dioxide, phosphorus, and helium, it will produce different colors. For example, neon gas and mercury produce a white color, while neon gas and helium produce a gold coloring.
While these lights might be cool, they may also be illegal. Therefore, you should never install them on your vehicle until you’re positive.
The Prohibited And Restricted Lights
Just because the Highway Traffic Act in Canada doesn’t say anything specific about underglow lights it doesn’t mean that there aren’t restrictions. In fact, the act states clearly that lights can be prohibited and restricted based on their combination and/or the direction they are visible from. For instance, flashing red lights that are visible from any direction are only considered legal on law enforcement vehicles. It should be noted that this does not include four-way flashers. A combination of red and blue lights are also restricted to law enforcement vehicles. Flashing blue lights alone are also slated for police vehicles as well as snow removal vehicles. The fire department and volunteer firefighters get to claim the flashing green lights. Just keep in mind that these specific laws are always open to interpretation by police offices and might vary from province to province.
LED Underglow Lighting VS Neon Lighting
Underglow lighting can also be made of LEDs, light-emitting diodes. Some people prefer this design because LEDs have a life expectancy of about 50,000 hours or 13.7 years. Neon lights, on the other hand, have a life expectancy of up to 10 years. LED underglow lighting installs under the vehicle in the same manner as neon underglow lighting. Unlike neon lights, LEDs are available in flexible tubes and strips.
Another reason why LED underglow lights are more popular than neon is because they produce multicolor strobe effects. Neon lights were the first lighting system to come around and they are without a doubt brighter than their counterparts. Along with this, there are several different models that have the ability to achieve strobe effects. While they might be bright, neon lights really aren’t suitable for vehicles that are going to be driven every day because they are extremely fragile. Going over an oversized speed bump could mean the end of your lighting system.
British Columbia, Canada
In British Columbia as with most neighboring provinces LED Underglow is generally Illegal and this includes washer nozzle’s, and tire valve LED. These are considered “Off-Road” lights and need to be covered with an opaque cover at all times on the road period, Off-road use would be totally Legal.
Alberta, Canada
Alberta lawmakers have yet to legalize underglow neon lights in Alberta, Canada. The theory is that the lights can distract oncoming motorists, increasing the risks of motor vehicle collisions. While some motorists, especially younger drivers, find the lights aesthetically appealing, lawmakers have a different take on them. Remember that it is illegal to use underglow lights on all vehicles in Alberta. This includes motorcycles too.
Ontario, Canada
The laws can vary from one province to thenext. With that being said, you should know that Ontario has pretty similarlaws to Alberta. It is said that the only light color that is permitted in thisarea is green. However, other experts claim that it is completely illegal touse lights regardless of their color. It is very rare for someone to get aticket for using Canadian underglow lights. Nevertheless, it is true that you’rebetter safe than sorry. With that being said, you should probably avoid usingthem in Ontario when your vehicle is moving.
Is underglow illegal in Canada? Yes, sodon’t take that risk.
The Costs Of Underglow
Now, you should know that underglow lightsare very inexpensive. This is one of the main reasons that they’ve become sopopular during past years. Who doesn’t want to make their vehicle look coolwithout breaking the bank? While the initial price is low, you have to be verycautious about getting tickets. If you do that, the costs are going to climbhigher very quickly. With this in mind, it is best to think about the futurerepercussions. Do not install under the car lights unless you’re positive thatyou can afford to pay a ticket in the future.
How To Avoid Problems
Again, there is nothing wrong with installing underglow lights on your vehicle. However, you need to know when you can use them and when you cannot use them. If you’re going to be driving in Canada, you’ll actually need to keep them covered up. If you’re parked beside the road, you can turn them on. The lights need to be covered up and using an opaque cover is one of the best ways to do just that. If you get pulled over and the lights are somewhat visible, there is a big risk that you’re going to get into trouble. At the very least, you’ll likely get a warning.
With that being said, you should becautious. Hide them with an opaque cover and make sure that they’re completelycovered. This will allow you to enjoy the lights when it is legal to do so andavoid repercussions when they’re considered illegal.
Keeping Them Covered
Just because underglow lights might be illegal in Canada doesn’t mean that you cannot use them. However, doing so is going to make your life a little more difficult in the long run. After all, it is illegal to use such lights on the public roadways. If you’re going to be driving on the public roads with these lights, you’ll need to cover them up in advance. The tube cannot be exposed to the public. While you can have underglow lights, you cannot actually use them on the roadway legally. In other words, you’re going to be driving illegally if you use underglow lights on public roadways in Canada.
Are They Worth It?
Ultimately, these lights are definitely very cool. They’re going to greatly enhance the appearance of your vehicle and make it stand out from the crowd. If you’re an attention seeker, you can guarantee that you’re going to love these lights. The only problem is that they do come with some risks. After all, these lights are considered illegal in many areas across Canada and the United States. Therefore, they may not actually be worth the money or effort. If you want to be safe, you should avoid them. If you’re a risk-taker, you can install the lights and drive on public roadways anyway. However, it is recommended that you cover them up completely before hitting the road.
Summary
Unfortunately, the laws regarding underglowlights are not cut and dry. There are some gray areas here and there. With thatbeing said, there is really no definite answer. Is underglow illegal in Canada?The legality of underglow lights in Canada really depends on the installationand the area where you are. In some provinces, the lights are indeed illegal.In others, it depends on numerous factors. Suffice to say, you should neverinstall these lights until you’ve learned more about the laws.
Related Questions
Why Would Underglow Be ConsideredIllegal?
Underglow lights are actually consideredillegal in areas across the United States and Canada. Why is this the case?Well, police officers claim that the colors are distracting to other drivers.They suggest that they might be distracting to the vehicle’s operator as well.While this is questionable, it is really the main reason that states andprovinces have decided to outlaw underglow lights.
What Colors Are Prohibited?
Another thing to note is that certaincolors are almost always prohibited. They include blue and red. After all,these are the colors that are primarily utilized by emergency vehicles. If youwere driving down the road with blue or red underglow lights, there is apossibility that someone may suspect that you’re a police officer or ambulancedriver. Therefore, these colors are banned in most areas.