The original Stop/Tail/Turn lights are mandatory, anything else is optional. Actually I'm kind of paraphrasing here, but I see no reason the upper lights can't serve as secondary S/T/T signals, some trucks set up their trailers this exact way. I drove for one company that set up high-mounted S/T/T *INSIDE* the trailer doors ... we unloaded farm equipment on ramps which obstructed the lower lights, and lights mounted on the doors would not be visible when said doors were open. I have a copy of the FMCSA rulebook which has all the DOT lighting specifications for trucks, buses, etc. I would assume if we comply with everything listed in that, we will be good no matter where we go (at least in the U.S.). I don't have it in front of me, but as I recall, Stop/Tail/Turn lights are supposed to be between 24-60" from the ground ... rear facing, steady burning lights should be red ... (rear) amber lights for turn signal use only ... white for reverse lights ... other lights (such as work lights, secondary S/T/T, alternating flashers) are allowed but generally should not be on when going down the road. If converting the alternating flashers to stop/turn usage, their new operation should be fairly obvious.
|