History Of Side Marker Lights And Their Legal Requirements

Side marker lights became mandatory in the United States in 1968, initially requiring either a bulb or reflector for marking the sides of vehicles. By 1970, the rule was changed to require both a bulb and reflector on all corners of vehicles, ensuring visibility whether the vehicle was on or off. This was to improve safety by making vehicles more visible to other drivers at night or in reduced-visibility conditions.

Side marker lights became mandatory in the US in 1968

The law initially required lights or reflectors on vehicles manufactured after 1 January 1968, and this was amended to require both lights and reflectors on vehicles manufactured after 1 January 1970. This was to ensure that the side-facing lights and/or reflectors made the vehicle's presence, position, and direction of travel clearly visible to other drivers, regardless of the direction from which they are approaching.

The amended regulation for January 1, 1970, also included the requirement that the parking lamps remain lit during headlamp operation, and that side marker lamps be illuminated whenever the vehicle's parking and tail lamps are on. This was to make vehicles with non-functioning headlamps more noticeable to other drivers, and to lessen the chance that they might be mistaken for motorcycles by oncoming traffic.

Side marker lights were initially clear or amber at the front, and red at the rear

Side marker lights became mandatory in the United States in 1968, initially requiring either a clear or amber bulb at the front, and a red bulb at the rear. This regulation was later amended to require both bulbs and reflectors on all vehicles made on or after 1 January 1970.

The purpose of side marker lights is to make vehicles visible from the side to drivers of other vehicles, particularly in low-visibility conditions. They also indicate the overall length of the vehicle and convey the direction of travel by the colour of the lamps.

The 1968 regulation allowed for either lights or reflectors, which is why some cars in 1968 had amber lights at the front and red reflectors at the rear. In 1969, Chrysler vehicles used lights and, on most models, reflectors.

The amended regulation for 1 January 1970 required that the side-facing lights and/or reflectors make the vehicle's presence, position, and direction of travel clearly visible to other drivers approaching from the side or at any angle where the headlamps or tail lamps cannot be viewed. It also required that the parking lamps remain lit during headlamp operation and that side marker lamps be illuminated whenever the vehicle's parking and tail lamps are on.

The 1970 regulation was further amended in 1980 in response to a petition from Chrysler Corporation. The amendment allowed vehicles less than 80 inches in width to meet an alternative compliance option that relaxed the inboard photometry requirements for the side marker lamps.

By 1970, both a bulb and reflector were required at each corner

In the United States, side marker lighting became mandatory for the 1968 model year. Initially, the law required either a bulb or reflector for marking the sides, but this changed by 1970. From then on, both a bulb and a reflector were required at each corner. This meant that cars could visibly mark their sides whether their lights were on or off. Parked cars on dark roads, for example, could be seen by their reflectors.

The 1970 rule change also included the requirement that the parking lamps remain lit during headlamp operation. This was to make vehicles with non-functioning headlamps more noticeable to other drivers and to lessen the chance that they might be mistaken for motorcycles by oncoming traffic.

In 1970-1971, most Ford Motor Company vehicles were equipped with flashing side marker lights that corresponded with the turn signals flashing in the direction of a turn. This was mostly eliminated for 1972, although many General Motors cars still utilise a flashing front (amber) marker light to correspond with turn signals to this day.

Side marker lights are illegal in Europe

In Europe, side marker lights are not mandatory for cars. They are only mandatory for lorries and vehicles of more than six meters in length. Car manufacturers in the EU seldom put this into practice.

Side marker lights are valuable as they make a vehicle visible at night from the side, give a sense of the car's length, and convey the direction the car is traveling by the colors of the lamps. In the US, side marker lighting became mandatory for the 1968 model year. This early era saw some fun side marker experimentation, like the glorious firebird-shaped rear marker lamp of the Pontiac Firebird.

From 1968 to 1969, either a bulb or reflector was required for marking the sides, but by 1970, the rule was changed so that all corners must have both a bulb and a reflector. This way, a parked car on a dark road could be seen by its reflectors.

In Europe, carmakers had to go out of their way to plug side marker lamp holes in their European-market cars, leading to goofy solutions like plastic plugs and extra badging. After 1991, Europe allowed side markers if they were amber-colored on the front and rear sides. However, this defeats one of the biggest features of American-style side marker lamps: being able to determine the front and rear of the car from the side in the darkness.

Despite Europe's sophisticated automotive lighting standards, it is puzzling why they are blind to the middle of the car when it comes to side illumination.

Side marker lights are meant to indicate a vehicle's overall length

Side marker lights are an essential safety feature for vehicles, especially in low-light conditions or during inclement weather. They are required by law in many countries, including the United States, and play a crucial role in increasing a vehicle's overall visibility, reducing accidents, and providing valuable information to other drivers on the road.

The placement of side marker lights varies, with some located around the wheel wells or fender areas, while others are integrated into the vehicle's headlights or taillights. These lights are typically amber or red, with amber indicating the front of the vehicle and red indicating the rear. In the United States, federal regulations require side marker lights to be mounted as far forward or rearward as possible.

One of the main purposes of side marker lights is to indicate a vehicle's overall length and width, especially for large and heavy vehicles. This information is conveyed to other drivers through the colour and placement of the lights. For example, amber lights at the front and red lights at the rear indicate the front and rear of the vehicle, respectively. Additionally, the number of side marker lights can also provide information about the vehicle's size.

Side marker lights improve vehicle visibility by emitting steady or flashing lights. They help other drivers identify the presence and location of the vehicle, especially in low-light conditions or adverse weather. This is particularly important for large and heavy vehicles, as it warns other motorists about their presence on the road.

In addition to enhancing vehicle visibility, side marker lights also play a role in lane changes and turns. They can illuminate the front and rear of the vehicle and even provide dynamic turn signal effects. This provides valuable visual cues to other drivers, ensuring a smoother and safer transition between lanes.

Side marker lights are also important for regulatory compliance. For example, sedans are equipped with front amber side lights and rear red side lights to meet safety standards. Heavy-duty work vehicles may have additional side marker lights, such as clearance and identification lights, to comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.

Overall, side marker lights are a crucial safety feature that helps prevent accidents and provides valuable information to other drivers about a vehicle's size, shape, and direction of travel. By indicating a vehicle's overall length and width, side marker lights play a vital role in enhancing road safety and reducing the risk of collisions.

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