TowMate, a company that manufactures and sells wireless tow lights, recently submitted an exemption request to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration asking it to allow motor carriers to use rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn and tail lights during temporary emergency towing situations in lieu of hardwired temporary lighting systems.
These rechargeable wireless light systems don’t meet current power supply requirements for lamps in FMCSA’s regulations, which require all necessary lights, with the exception of battery-powered lamps used on projecting loads, to be powered by the electrical system of the truck.
TowMat says in its exemption request with the improvements in LED technology, coupled with advancements in battery technologies, that rechargeable wireless tow lighting systems will meet the same level of safety as lights hardwired to the truck’s power system.
FMCSA is seeking public comment on the exemption request, which can be made by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0238 at regulations.gov.
The comment period will be open for 30 days following publication on the Federal Register. The document is scheduled to be published on the Federal Register on Thursday, Aug. 6.
