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a practical reason for adopting motorcycle is not overlooked. and configurations of vehicle
this trend: improving visibility This is particularly important in lighting. While red is typically
on the road. The importance of situations where other vehicles reserved for brake lights and
safety in motorcycling cannot are driving with their high taillights, other colors, such as
be overstated. Riders, unlike beams on or in areas where blue or green, may be
drivers of cars and trucks, are lighting is poor. prohibited for use in certain
much more vulnerable to 2.3. Visibility to positions. The concern is that
accidents, and visibility is a key these non-standard colors
factor in reducing the likelihood Emergency Vehicles could create confusion on the
of collisions. Some motorcyclists also place road, especially since blue
blue dots on their taillights as a lights are often associated with
2.1. Enhancing Visibility way to make their bikes more police or emergency vehicles.
in Traffic
visible to emergency vehicles. 3.2. Local Laws and
A primary reason why some In the event of an accident,
motorcyclists place blue dots quick identification by first Enforcement
on their taillights is to increase responders is critical. The blue In some jurisdictions, law
their visibility to other road dot can help emergency crews enforcement may be more
users. Motorcycles are locate the motorcycle more lenient regarding the use of
inherently harder to spot, easily, potentially saving blue dots, as long as they are
especially in heavy traffic or at valuable time in the event of a not perceived as interfering
night, when visibility is crash. with the primary function of the
reduced. Adding a blue dot to This heightened visibility could taillight. However, it's important
the taillight creates a distinct also help reduce accidents to recognize that adding a blue
and eye-catching signal that caused by other vehicles failing dot to a motorcycle taillight
makes it easier for other to notice a motorcyclist in may be subject to ticketing or
drivers to spot the motorcycle traffic, especially when fines in areas where vehicle
from a distance. lighting is strictly regulated.
emergency vehicles are
From a psychological rushing to the scene. Motorcyclists who are
perspective, human eyes are considering adding a blue dot
particularly sensitive to color 3. The Legal to their bike should check the
contrast. The blue hue of the Aspect of Blue local vehicle codes to ensure
dot stands out against the red that their modifications comply
brake light, making the Dots with the law. In some places, a
motorcycle more conspicuous. While the blue dot trend is blue dot may be legal, while in
In a world where distracted largely driven by aesthetics others, it may be considered an
driving is a growing problem, and safety, there are also legal infringement on traffic safety
any effort to make a motorcycle considerations involved. regulations.
more visible is seen as Depending on where you live, 3.3. Exceptions and
beneficial.
the practice of placing a blue Workarounds
2.2. A Nighttime Safety dot on a motorcycle taillight Despite the legal restrictions on
Feature could be subject to certain laws
and regulations. certain colors for vehicle
At night, when taillights are on, lighting, there are exceptions
the blue dot can be seen as an 3.1. The Legal Issues and workarounds that
additional light source that Surrounding Blue Dots motorcyclists use to still
draws attention. The human In some regions, placing a non- incorporate blue dots in a way
eye tends to focus on objects standard light, such as a blue that complies with regulations.
with high contrast and unique dot, on a motorcycle or vehicle For example, some riders
features, so the blue dot serves could potentially violate laws choose to place the blue dot on
as a visual cue that tells other regarding vehicle lighting. For the reflective lens of the taillight
drivers, "There is a motorcycle instance, many states and rather than directly on the light
here." itself. By doing this, they can
countries have strict rules
In the dark, a rider might be about the color and type of still achieve the visual effect
hard to spot due to the lighting that can be used on without violating any lighting
motorcycle's relatively small vehicles. regulations.
profile compared to larger In the United States, for In other cases, riders might use
vehicles like cars or trucks. The example, the Federal Motor removable blue dot stickers or
blue dot provides an extra layer Vehicle Safety Standards decals that can be easily taken
of protection, ensuring that the off if necessary, ensuring they
(FMVSS) regulate the colors
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LHR Motorcycle Magazine Issue 13 May 2025
