Will High-Mount Stop Lamp Stickers Be Confiscated by Traffic Police?
4 Answers
High-mount stop lamp stickers will not be confiscated by traffic police if they are affixed to the correct position. However, it is prohibited to obstruct the brake lights. When applying the stickers, ensure proper placement and consider factors such as daylight and nighttime visibility. The high-mount stop lamp, typically installed on the upper part of the rear of the vehicle, makes it easier for vehicles behind to notice when the front vehicle is braking, thereby helping to prevent rear-end collisions. It is also known as the third brake light, high-mount brake light, or third stop lamp. Its working principle is that when the brake pedal is pressed, the high-mount stop lamp at the rear of the car activates to alert drivers behind to maintain a safe distance and avoid getting too close, thus preventing rear-end accidents. Automotive brake lights can be categorized by their position into rear brake lights, dashboard brake lights, and high-mount stop lamps. Based on materials, they can be divided into gas brake lights and LED brake lights. Common causes of brake light malfunctions include damaged brake light fuses and faulty brake light switches. Therefore, it is essential to regularly inspect the brake light fuses and switches for any damage and replace them promptly if issues are found.
I used to put this kind of brake light decal on my car, but got pulled over and lectured by traffic police. The high-mounted stop lamp is a mandatory safety device, and according to the "Motor Vehicle Safety Technical Specifications," obstructing or altering light signals constitutes illegal modification. When caught, traffic police usually won't impound your vehicle immediately, but they'll make you remove the decal on the spot and may also issue penalty points and fines. These decals might look cool, but they actually reduce the brightness of brake lights, especially during rain or haze, making it harder for vehicles behind to see and increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. Once when I was driving at night, the decal on the car ahead covered half of the red light, and I almost crashed into it. I sincerely advise against messing with this—safety is more important than personal style. If you really want to decorate your car, opt for window decals that don't obstruct lights or add some legal small accessories.
As someone who frequently helps out at auto repair shops, I've seen many cases where people got into trouble with traffic police because of stickers. While high-mounted brake light stickers won't get your car immediately impounded, officers have the authority to demand their removal and issue fines, as this violates vehicle lighting regulations. Blocking brake lights poses significant risks - I once serviced a car where the owner's dark tinted sticker caused the bulb to overheat and burn out, leaving no warning signal at night, which was extremely dangerous. Nowadays, traffic police strictly monitor such modifications, and surveillance cameras can clearly capture them. Getting caught more than three times can even affect your annual vehicle inspection. If you want to beautify your car's rear end, consider using reflective strips or legally certified decorative light strips instead.
My husband, who works as a traffic police officer, mentioned that high-mounted brake light stickers are a typical safety hazard. During roadside checks, they usually issue a warning first, and only penalize those who fail to correct the issue. The main concern isn’t about impounding the vehicle but rather that these stickers can reduce brake light brightness by over 20%. Once, while handling a rear-end collision, the driver behind claimed they couldn’t clearly see the brake lights due to the dinosaur sticker on the leading car. Want to decorate your car? I recommend using magnetic car decals or cartoon license plate frames—these won’t violate traffic regulations.
