Article: Ban on ’boy racer’ modifications

kbannon wrote: Just discovered this... http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI190Y1963.html#ZZSI190Y196 3A34 34.2.b

Excellent bedtime reading!

While it comments on things like exhausts that reduce noise to an acceptable level must be fitted, it doesn't define "acceptable".  Likewise, it doesn't comment on the requirement for a level of accuracy in instruments such as speedo, just that they are fitted.  There must be another bit of legislation that quantifies these things?

llatsni - I can't remember the last bike I met at night with lights, either!

KB - the tint doesn't really obscure vision - this is open to debate, taking into account how dark the tint is.  However, according to that, our club stickers are illegal!!!

Interesting...

"(b) all glass and all safety glass fitted to a vehicle shall be maintained in such a condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven and shall be kept free of inessential objects or inessential stickers;"

Well thats what tints are is 'inessential stickers' but the arguement really lies in the fact that if it is obsuring the drivers vision.  If so then people wearing shades (I've seen gardai doing this) are also breaking the law by obsuring their vision.

However,
" (d) every speedometer which is required to be fitted under these Regulations shall be maintained in good and efficient working order and kept free from any obstruction which might prevent its being easily read"

All speedos are inacurate (within reason).  By adding a bigger wheel diameter will cause the distance travelled by your car to be different than that of a smaller wheel so your speedo will be wrong then and it could be that the tyre pressure could be lower than when it left the factory to be enough to render the speedo to be a bit off.  I wouldn't think that precision is clue here but moreso that it works to be an effective tool.  Don't the Gardai give leeway in speeding cos of this something like 3%???

I always wonder why my first posts in a new forum, I'm always giving out. :-)

Baz.

@Fey

I suppose changing your wheels is a "unauthorised modification" ha ha.

Yea your right about it being in good working order I was just pointing out its accuracy isn't 100%, well thats what I say when I'm after being pulled in from 110mph, "eh Garda, long story I bought these 20 inch wheels..."

Glad to hear I'll fit in.  Nothing roils me up more than politicians - junior  that he is, trying to appear in the "know".

Baz

Well Ill see if I can get a copy of it but trainee garda are being given a 3 page document designed to (ill be diplomatic) highlight points with which they can pull a "boy racer" under current laws, some of it is shocking and damn petty.  It does not mention how loud a loud exhaust is but what rules etc and how to write the ticket for it.  I can see cases getting thrown out until they are issued light meters (at present I know there is one fully calibrated internationally rated window tint unit in Ireland that is recognised by european courts) and decibel meters.

BAZBMW wrote: Shades technically do "obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven" so technically it is incorrect to wear shades.

But they are not fitted to the vehicle (unless you stick then to the bonnet/window, etc.) .....  Oh, the law, what fun eh...?

Re. accuracy of speedo, its to allow for things like production tolerances of the various components (tyres, gears, differential, etc.) that there is an acceptable margin of accuracy and why plod typically gives a margin over the limit on their calibrated gear before they start handing out tickets (unless you annoy them and then its gloves off).

"But they are not fitted to the vehicle (unless you stick then to the bonnet/window, etc.) .....  Oh, the law, what fun eh...?"

We could go on and on, but yes it isn't attached to the car so therefore this law doesn't apply, but if that law was put there to stop cars being driven with tinted windows becuase it will obscure their view then why isn't the same with shades.  Thats my point!!!!   If the NCT is being used to stop this then it be a parrell act to pull over all people wearing shades, a ridculus arguement I know so please stop replying,  I wish I didn't start this.

jrafferty wrote: "(b) all glass and all safety glass fitted to a vehicle shall be maintained in such a condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven and shall be kept free of inessential objects or inessential stickers;" does that mean i am commiting an offence by having my "bmwcarclub sticker" on the windows?

yes, next time I see you I'll be forced to make a "citizens arrest" javascript:AddSmileyIcon('')

never thought of that John - yet another reason to loathe the [take a dep breath Killian] man!