Idaho man pulled over by police 20 times in last year: Are underglow lights a problem?

August 2024 · 2 minute read

Jamie Church is a local Uber driver who doesn't only attract Uber riders, but police as well.

Church says he's never gotten a ticket, but his green underglow lights has gotten him pulled over by police from different agencies around the Treasure Valley , he says.

"I have had talks with many departments; Weiser Police, Payette Police, Boise Police, Washington County Sheriff which all told me that they were okay," Church said.

Church says he has a copy of the laws with him when he drives.

"The laws were concerning the front of a car, the back and the side, which is easy, but none of that has anything to do with underneath the car," said Church. "It says specifically the lens and lamp colors, and my greens are under the car not showing the lens or lamp."

CBS 2 News reached out to Idaho State Police and Boise Police. They passed on laws regarding the issue.

State law limits vehicle lamps and lighting to ensure safety on the road. One section says any illuminating device that's 300 candlepower or higher can't shine down the roadway more than 75 feet. Another section of law addresses running board lights saying a vehicle can have one on each side but must be white or amber and not glare. There is one part of Idaho law that mentions running board lights. They're similar... But they're not located in the same place under the vehicle.

“I've done a lot of research and got a little bit more curious about whether I can have lights and on my car," said Church. "And so, I walked into the Idaho State Police and ask them about that. And they said it was a grey area.”

Church says he can understand why officers have pulled him over.

“I think when these laws were made many years ago, people weren't putting lights under their cars and stuff so I think it's... you know within the last 30 years for sure,” said Church.

He says that he just wishes people could be on the same page.

Church said, “I would like for everybody including law enforcement to be aware more aware of, you know, the laws and what's clear and what's not.”

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