Christmas is around the corner! To create a festive atmosphere, many truck drivers are installing various gadgets and lighting in the cab. We should remember, however, that they are banned in Germany. In recent days, the German services have focused their checks on illegally lit trucks.
The German Road Traffic and Vehicle Approval Act (StVZO) prohibits the use of additional lighting elements in a truck. Paragraph 49a of the STVZO states this. Apart from the Christmas lights, flashing and rotating LED plates or backlit logos cannot be used in trucks either.
Everything that is illuminated inside and outside the vehicle must comply with the regulations. Above all, other road users must not be hindered. In addition, flashing lights can be confused with warning signs, and this sometimes leads to dangerous traffic situations,” explains Eberhard Lang from the TÜV SÜD Technical Supervision Association.
Lighting inspection campaign on A7
Due to early twilight and darkness in the autumn and winter months, the correct use of lighting elements in vehicles is extremely important in road traffic. For example, incorrectly installed lighting can dazzle other drivers or significantly change the appearance of the vehicle. This poses a threat to other road users, which is why, for example, the highway police in Bavaria carried out a special campaign last week to inspect trucks in this respect.
While checking trucks on the A7 motorway, police officers caught twelve vehicles and proceedings were initiated against all drivers for administrative offences.
Technical modifications to trucks have rendered their registration certificates invalid. Each driver received €180 fine and one penalty point. The vehicles concerned could then continue driving and recover the validity of the registration certificate, but subject to the prior dismantling of the unacceptable lighting equipment.
The German police warn against installing and modifying lighting equipment, as this would render the vehicle registration certificate invalid. The services have already announced further checks in this regard.
Photo credit @ Polizei