Agency: Raise High Trailer Lights

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration no longer will leave it up to trailer manufacturers to determine where to place identification and clearance lamps.

From now on, the federal agency is making that call.

In the past, NHTSA had deferred to manufacturers’ decisions to place lights at the bottom rather than the top of the trailer. In a April 5 Federal Register notice, however, the agency declared that the marker lamps must be placed above the rear doors in all circumstances where it is “practicable.”

Manufacturers have said they need a larger surface area, such as the lower sill of a trailer, to install the lights. Also, a scarcity of lights narrow enough to fit above a trailer’s doors has kept companies from altering what they call the “common industry practice” of putting lights near the bottom.

In addition, trailer makers say it is easier and safer to change light bulbs and maintain wiring at ground level rather than atop a trailer.

With narrow lamps, such as light-emitting diodes, in ready supply and Canada requiring placement of lights higher up on vehicles, NHTSA said it is time for U.S. manufacturers to get in step.

For the full story, see the April 19 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.