A: No, correctly installed pillar mount spotlights DO NOT reduce the structural integrity of a vehicle.

If it makes a difference, the vehicles are 99 and 08 ford police interceptors

The local police and commercial vehicle safety enforcement are going after me because of factory installed equipment in both of my p71s (which are now only a problem, and weren't an issue for the past 7+ years). Their argument, "in the event of a rollover crash the a-pillars are more likely to fail."

Reminder these are factory installed by Ford before they left the plant, not by me with a drill and a hacksaw. And yes, the spotlights themselves are legal in my jurisdiction.
One vehicle does not have a spotlight installed in the hole.

Not looking for legal advice, more so opinions.

static path Nov 28, 2023, 10:09 PM

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I imagine NHTSA probably has rollover test data about this, and in 2009 or so was when they tightened the rules about roof structural integrity specifically to make rollovers more survivable. This had the effect of making everyone put thicker A, B, and C pillars on their vehicles which is why modern cars have dogshit visibility thanks to those beefy pillars. That said, even if the a pillars are compromised, it’s a dangerous precedent for them to try and apply new regs to old vehicles. Arguably, nothing pre-2009 would meet today’s rollover test and it’s ludicrous to start targeting pre-2009 vehicles because of it.

bold holly Nov 29, 2023, 12:06 AM

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My theory is that the authorities don’t so much see it as “safety concern” but more so “impersonating an officer” since spotlights on a p71 makes it look more legit. However, at the same time, the p71 isn’t really used as a police car anymore.

I know there are rules about “dual headlights” in America. Maybe this breaches that?

static path Nov 29, 2023, 1:16 AM

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Yeah, 100% this is OP’s local LE finding a reason to fuck with him or her. They don’t actually believe it or have any interest in enforcing a law

pliant magnet Nov 29, 2023, 2:01 AM

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obsidian wedge A: No, correctly installed pillar mount spotlights DO NOT reduce the structural ...

i am a criminal justice student looking to become a law enforcement officer, and also a part-time mechanic, so i find myself uniquely qualified here. basically, they are bullshitting. the spotlights itself add zero structural integrity, and the holes were installed oem anyway. plugging them will do nothing for example.

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if they are giving you trouble about the spotlights, put them in, and fold them away. this will prevent most of the dubious legality issues associated with spotlights

obsidian wedge Nov 29, 2023, 2:02 AM

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I’m also a justice student in canada
the whole situation sounds like bs

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thank you everyone for your responses

pliant magnet Nov 29, 2023, 2:02 AM

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don’t worry about it, they literally cannot take any non-verbal action

obsidian wedge Nov 29, 2023, 2:05 AM

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This is for the USA but basically (officially) flaws their whole argument

static path Nov 29, 2023, 2:07 AM

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For what it’s worth, my P71s had lights. I kept them folded and never had any trouble, but I did get the side eye from most officers. And everyone around me always drove exactly the speed limit haha. Great on highways though because everyone got out of the left lane.

obsidian wedge Nov 29, 2023, 2:08 AM

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We’ve never had an issue for the 7+ years the cars have been in the family

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now it’s suddenly not okay with them

obsidian wedge Dec 1, 2023, 1:46 AM

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Do factory installed A-pillar spotlights reduce the structural integrity of a vehicle?a

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Do factory installed A-pillar spotlights reduce the structural integrity of a vehicle?

#Do factory installed A-pillar spotlights reduce the structural integrity of a vehicle?

A: No, correctly installed pillar mount spotlights DO NOT reduce the structural integrity of a vehicle.