drsteve wrote:
Funny... NHTSA says that DOT tests helmets for compliance with the applicable federal standards. As a lifelong rider, I've noticed that the anti-helmet crowd is not especially concerned with accuracy. In this case, their theory is that there are no DOT approved helmets, and indeed DOT asserts that they are not an approval agency, and therefore they can wear whatever headgear they wish and still be following helmet laws, because there's no such thing as a DOT approved helmet. Whatever...
The DOT doesn't go around saying "yay" or "nay" even if you send them a piece of equipment for free with a chocolate bunny and a note asking them to "check" the equipment for compliance with applicable laws.
In the case of lighting, DOT compliant means that the lighting meets section 108 requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). These standards regulate all automotive lighting, signaling, and reflective devices.
I wouldn't go as far as saying they regulate "all" automotive lighting devices...fog lamps, for example, are not federally regulated. States are free to decide on whether they even allow fog lamps on their roads, if they wish to go that far. States are also free to regulate the placement, brightness, number, etc. of fog lamps.
