|
Regardless of what state law specifies, reflectors and lights are mandated by FMVSS 108 (lighting) which requires amber lights and reflectors in the front and red in the rear. States can add requirements but they cannot "dumb down" a Federal requirement. They can decide if they want to enforce it though.
In theory, a cop could stop and ticket you for this. In theory they could tow your car (unsafe or missing equipment.) Also, in theory, you could be found at fault for an accident if the reflectors and/or lights were missing.
There is, however, a good possibility that you will fail inspection. While these are mandated by Federal law, the enforcement is left to the states and some states check for sidemarkers while others don't. As a general rule, PA tends to check for sidemarkers and they seem to be the state most frequently mentioned for failing cars for sidemarkers - wheras CA is known for failing cars for "loud" exhausts or extreme lowering.
Only you can decide if removing sidemarkers will cause you trouble in your jurisdiction - nobody else can make that decision for you since what is OK in Pomona might not be OK in Compton. Hell, for some violations it might change based on police substation.
I applaud the OP for asking the question. He is now a bit more informed and can decide what he wants to do.
|