Interpretation ID: aiam2983
295 Spring Street
Box 551
Shreve
OH 44676;
Dear Mr. Leiby: This is in reply to your letter of February 7, 1979, to the Departmen asking about the legality of wiring the rear hazard warning signals so that they automatically flash when the gear shift level is placed in reverse.; We are able to give you guidance about applicable Federal law only. Th Federal requirements for new motor vehicles are set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 (49 Code of Federal Regulations 571.108). As you probably know, the hazard warning system and the turn signal system typically use the same lights. There is no provision in the standard which prohibits a manufacturer from wiring the rear hazard signals/turn lights so that they flash when the vehicle gear shift is in reverse. Please note, however, that the standard (S4.6(b)) requires the separate rear tail lamps to be steady burning. Thus, those lamps may not be wired so that they flash.; As for modification of used vehicles, contact the State in which th modified vehicle would be licensed and operated to determine if it has any applicable vehicle-in-use laws.; We appreciate your interest in motor vehicle safety. Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Acting Chief Counsel