Official Location based warning law discussion thread
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GREEN
40-8-92. Designation of emergency vehicles; flashing or revolving lights; permits; fee; prohibition against use of flashing or revolving green lights by private persons on public property
RED & AMBER
(a) All emergency vehicles shall be designated as such by the commissioner of public safety. The commissioner shall so designate each vehicle by issuing to such vehicle a permit to operate flashing or revolving emergency lights of the appropriate color. Such permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance; provided, however, that permits for vehicles belonging to federal, state, county, or municipal governmental agencies shall be valid for five years from the date of issuance. Any and all officially marked law enforcement vehicles as specified in Code Section 40-8-91 shall not be required to have a permit for the use of a blue light. Any and all fire department vehicles which are distinctly marked on each side shall not be required to have a permit for the use of a red light. Any and all ambulances, as defined in Code Section 31-11-2, licensed by this state shall not be required to have a permit for the use of a red light.
( B) The commissioner shall authorize the use of red or amber flashing or revolving lights only when the person or governmental agency shall demonstrate to the commissioner a proven need for equipping a vehicle with emergency lights. The fee for such lights shall be $2.00, provided that no federal, state, county, or municipal governmental agency or an ambulance provider, as defined in Code Section 31-11-2, shall be required to pay such fee.
© Nothing contained in this Code section shall prohibit the commissioner from issuing a single special use permit to cover more than one vehicle, provided each vehicle covered under such special use permit shall pay the fee specified in subsection ( B) of this Code section.
(d) Except as provided in this subsection, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to operate any motor vehicle or to park any motor vehicle on public property with flashing or revolving green lights. This subsection shall not apply to any motor vehicle being used by any law enforcement agency, fire department, emergency management agency, or other governmental entity to designate the location of the command post for such agency, department, or entity at the site of an emergency.
Blue
40-8-90. Restrictions on use of blue lights on vehicles
(a)(1) Except as provided in this paragraph and subsection ( B) of this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to operate any motor vehicle equipped with or containing a device capable of producing any blue lights, whether flashing, blinking, revolving, or stationary, except:
(A) Motor vehicles owned or leased by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency;
( B) Motor vehicles with a permit granted by a state agency to bear such lights; or
© Antique, hobby, and special interest vehicles, as defined in paragraph (8) of subsection (l) of Code Section 40-2-86.1, which may display a blue light or lights of up to one inch in diameter as part of any such vehicle's rear stop lamps, rear turning indicator, rear hazard lamps, and rear reflectors.
(2) Any person who violates paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
( B) The prohibition contained in subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to any elected sheriff who, pursuant to an agreement between the sheriff and the county governing authority, is using his or her personal motor vehicle in a law enforcement activity, provided such vehicle is marked as provided in Code Section 40-8-91.
© It shall be unlawful for any person to use any motor vehicle equipped with flashing, blinking, revolving, or stationary blue lights in the commission of a felony, and, upon conviction of a violation of this subsection, the punishment shall be a fine of not less than $1,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than one year, or both.
Siren
40-8-94. Sirens, whistles, or bells
Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet, but such siren shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which latter event the driver of such vehicle shall sound the siren when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof.
40-8-92. Designation of emergency vehicles; flashing or revolving lights; permits; fee; prohibition against use of flashing or revolving green lights by private persons on public property
RED & AMBER
(a) All emergency vehicles shall be designated as such by the commissioner of public safety. The commissioner shall so designate each vehicle by issuing to such vehicle a permit to operate flashing or revolving emergency lights of the appropriate color. Such permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance; provided, however, that permits for vehicles belonging to federal, state, county, or municipal governmental agencies shall be valid for five years from the date of issuance. Any and all officially marked law enforcement vehicles as specified in Code Section 40-8-91 shall not be required to have a permit for the use of a blue light. Any and all fire department vehicles which are distinctly marked on each side shall not be required to have a permit for the use of a red light. Any and all ambulances, as defined in Code Section 31-11-2, licensed by this state shall not be required to have a permit for the use of a red light.
( B) The commissioner shall authorize the use of red or amber flashing or revolving lights only when the person or governmental agency shall demonstrate to the commissioner a proven need for equipping a vehicle with emergency lights. The fee for such lights shall be $2.00, provided that no federal, state, county, or municipal governmental agency or an ambulance provider, as defined in Code Section 31-11-2, shall be required to pay such fee.
© Nothing contained in this Code section shall prohibit the commissioner from issuing a single special use permit to cover more than one vehicle, provided each vehicle covered under such special use permit shall pay the fee specified in subsection ( B) of this Code section.
(d) Except as provided in this subsection, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to operate any motor vehicle or to park any motor vehicle on public property with flashing or revolving green lights. This subsection shall not apply to any motor vehicle being used by any law enforcement agency, fire department, emergency management agency, or other governmental entity to designate the location of the command post for such agency, department, or entity at the site of an emergency.
Blue
40-8-90. Restrictions on use of blue lights on vehicles
(a)(1) Except as provided in this paragraph and subsection ( B) of this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to operate any motor vehicle equipped with or containing a device capable of producing any blue lights, whether flashing, blinking, revolving, or stationary, except:
(A) Motor vehicles owned or leased by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency;
( B) Motor vehicles with a permit granted by a state agency to bear such lights; or
© Antique, hobby, and special interest vehicles, as defined in paragraph (8) of subsection (l) of Code Section 40-2-86.1, which may display a blue light or lights of up to one inch in diameter as part of any such vehicle's rear stop lamps, rear turning indicator, rear hazard lamps, and rear reflectors.
(2) Any person who violates paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
( B) The prohibition contained in subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to any elected sheriff who, pursuant to an agreement between the sheriff and the county governing authority, is using his or her personal motor vehicle in a law enforcement activity, provided such vehicle is marked as provided in Code Section 40-8-91.
© It shall be unlawful for any person to use any motor vehicle equipped with flashing, blinking, revolving, or stationary blue lights in the commission of a felony, and, upon conviction of a violation of this subsection, the punishment shall be a fine of not less than $1,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than one year, or both.
Siren
40-8-94. Sirens, whistles, or bells
Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet, but such siren shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which latter event the driver of such vehicle shall sound the siren when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof.
hawkspringsfire
Member
31-5-102. Definitions.
(ii) "Authorized emergency vehicles" means:
(A) Vehicles of fire departments, fire patrols, game and fish law enforcement personnel, livestock board law enforcement personnel, brand inspectors, law enforcement agencies, public and private ambulances, medical rescue units and extrication rescue units;
( B) Privately-owned vehicles used by members of a fire department or emergency service organization while performing or traveling to perform assigned fire fighting or emergency service duties are authorized emergency vehicles if:
(I) Authorized in writing by the appropriate governing body of the city, town or county in which the emergency services organization is located;
(II) Equipped with at least one (1) flashing red, white or amber light visible from the front of the vehicle; and
(III) Equipped with a marker on the front of the vehicle indicating the department or organization with which affiliated.
(ii) "Authorized emergency vehicles" means:
(A) Vehicles of fire departments, fire patrols, game and fish law enforcement personnel, livestock board law enforcement personnel, brand inspectors, law enforcement agencies, public and private ambulances, medical rescue units and extrication rescue units;
( B) Privately-owned vehicles used by members of a fire department or emergency service organization while performing or traveling to perform assigned fire fighting or emergency service duties are authorized emergency vehicles if:
(I) Authorized in writing by the appropriate governing body of the city, town or county in which the emergency services organization is located;
(II) Equipped with at least one (1) flashing red, white or amber light visible from the front of the vehicle; and
(III) Equipped with a marker on the front of the vehicle indicating the department or organization with which affiliated.
General light laws below. Autorizing POV use of lights and sirens in bottom section
§ 375 (41). Colored and flashing lights.
41. Colored and flashing lights. The provisions of this subdivision shall govern the affixing and display of lights on vehicles, other than those lights required by law. 1. No light, other than a white light, and no revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving white light shall be affixed to, or displayed on any vehicle except as prescribed herein.
2. Red lights and certain White Lights . One or more red or combination red and white lights, or one white light which must be a revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving light, may be affixed to an authorized emergency vehicle, and such lights may be displayed on an authorized emergency vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in an emergency operation, and upon a fire vehicle while returning from an alarm of fire or other emergency.
3. Amber lights. a. One or more amber lights may be affixed to a hazard vehicle, and such a light or lights which display an amber light visible to all approaching traffic under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet from such vehicle shall be displayed on a hazard vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in a hazardous operation. Such light or lights shall not be required to be displayed during daylight hours provided at least two red flags visible from a distance of five hundred feet are placed both in or on the front of, and to or on the rear of the vehicle and two such flags are placed to each side of the vehicle open to traffic. Such lights or flags need not be displayed on the vehicle when the vehicle is operating, or parked, within a barricaded work area and said lights or flags are displayed on the barricade. The provisions of this subdivision shall not prohibit the temporary affixing and display of an amber light to be used as a warning on a disabled motor vehicle or on a motor vehicle while it is stopped on a highway while engaged in an operation which would restrict, impede or interfere with the normal flow of traffic.
b. In any city in this state having a population of one million or more, one amber light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned or operated by a volunteer member of a civilian or crime patrol provided such volunteer civilian or crime patrol member has been authorized in writing to so affix an amber light by the police commissioner of the municipality in which he patrols, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at any time by the police commissioner who issued the same or his successor in office. Such amber light may be operated by such volunteer civilian or crime patrol member in such a vehicle only when engaged in a patrol operation as defined and authorized by rules and regulations promulgated by the police commissioner and only in such a manner and at such times as may be authorized by the police commissioner pursuant to said rules and regulations.
4. Blue light. a. One blue light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he or she is employed, provided such volunteer firefighter has been authorized in writing to so affix a blue light by the chief of the fire department or company of which he or she is a member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at any time by the chief who issued the same or his or her successor in office. Such blue light may be displayed exclusively by such volunteer firefighter on such a vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation. The use of blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only by a volunteer firefighter except as otherwise provided for in subparagraph b of this paragraph.
b. In addition to the red and white lights authorized to be displayed pursuant to paragraph two of this subdivision, one or more blue lights or combination blue and red lights or combination blue, red and white lights may be affixed to a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle provided that such blue light or lights shall be displayed on a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle for rear projection only. In the event that the trunk or rear gate of a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle obstructs or diminishes the visibility of other emergency lighting on such vehicles, a blue light may be affixed to and displayed from the trunk, rear gate or interior of such vehicles. Such lights may be displayed on a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle when such vehicles are engaged in an emergency operation. Nothing contained in this subparagraph shall be deemed to authorize the use of blue lights on police vehicles, fire vehicles, ambulances, emergency ambulance service vehicles, and county emergency medical services vehicles unless such vehicles also display one or more red or combination red and white lights as otherwise authorized in this subdivision.
c. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations relating to the use, placement, power and display of blue lights on a police vehicle and fire vehicle.
5. Green light. One green light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a member of a volunteer ambulance service, or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family, or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he is employed, provided such member has been authorized in writing to so affix a green light by the chief officer of such service as designated by the members thereof. Such green light may be displayed by such member of a volunteer ambulance service only when engaged in an emergency operation.
As used in this paragraph volunteer ambulance service means: a. a non-profit membership corporation (other than a fire corporation) incorporated under or subject to the provisions of the membership corporations law, or any other law, operating its ambulance or ambulances on a non-profit basis for the convenience of the members thereof and their families or of the community or under a contract with a county, city, town or village pursuant to section one hundred twenty-two-b of the general municipal law; or
b. an unincorporated association of persons operating its ambulance or ambulances on a non-profit basis for the convenience of the members and their families or of the community.
6. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate regulations with respect to the affixing and display of colored lights and to promulgate specifications with respect to such lights.
7. The provisions of this subdivision forty-one shall not be applicable to vehicles from other states or from the Dominion of Canada which have entered this state to render police, fire or civil defense aid, or ambulance service, while such vehicles are here or are returning to their home stations if the lights on such vehicles comply with the laws of their home states or the Dominion of Canada and are displayed in this state in the same manner permitted by their home states or the Dominion of Canada, nor shall the provisions of this subdivision forty-one be deemed to amend, supersede or in any manner affect the provisions of the New York state defense emergency act as now in force or as it may be amended from time to time.
8. The provisions of this subdivision shall not be applicable to the driver of a vehicle from another state or foreign jurisdiction which vehicle has colored lights affixed but not revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving if the lights on such vehicle comply with the laws of the state or home foreign jurisdiction in which the vehicle is registered.
Authorizing Private Vehicles as EASV's (Use of Red Lights & Sirens)
Bureau of EMS Policy Statement
Policy Statement # 01-01
Date 04/11/01
Subject Re: Authorizing Private
Vehicles as EASVs
(Use of Red Lights & Sirens)
Supercedes/Updates 98-01
Introduction:
This policy is intended to clarify the requirements and procedures for utilizing personally owned vehicles (POV) as Emergency Ambulance Service Vehicles (EASV).
Authorization as an EASV involves more than just the use of red lights and a siren on a vehicle. It is expected that every EASV is in compliance with all of the provisions of 10 NYCRR Part 800.21 & .26. This includes proper agency identification, vehicle marking and patient care equipment. All vehicles authorized by the service as EASVs may be subject to inspection. In the event violations to the code are found, the violations will be charged against the service authorizing the vehicle.
Legal Basis for Use of Red Lights and Sirens in Private Vehicles
The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 115-c states:
"An emergency ambulance service vehicle shall be defined as an appropriately equipped motor vehicle owned or operated by an ambulance service as defined in section three thousand one of the public health law and used for purposes of transporting emergency medical personnel and equipment to sick and injured persons."
The Attorney General has issued an opinion (dated May 4, 1995) interpreting this section of the law as follows:
"…'owned or operated by' includes an appropriately equipped privately-owned vehicle operated by an agent of an ambulance service and used in transporting emergency medical personnel and equipment to sick and injured persons."
The Counsel to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles previously rendered an opinion that states;
"An emergency medical technician, whether a paid employee or a volunteer, performing duties for an ambulance service may equip his private vehicle with red lights and sirens and may use these red lights and sirens, in accordance with the above quoted section 115-c, to arrive at the scene of an emergency faster."
Authorization
An ambulance service shall issue written authorization using the Emergency Vehicle Authorization Card (DOH-4136). The authorization card shall be signed by both the Chief Executive Officer of the service and the EMT to whom it is issued. A copy of the authorization card and a record of it being issued shall be maintained by the service.
Authorization expires on the expiration date of the individual's EMT certification. The ambulance service may impose a shorter authorization period (e.g. annual) and has the authority, without department approval, to remove the authorization at anytime for cause.
The EASV authorization shall be considered invalid for the following reasons:
The individual is no longer an active member or employee of the authorizing ambulance service.
The individual is not currently certified by the New York State Department of Health as an Emergency Medical Technician or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.
The service is no longer certified by the New York State Department of Health as an ambulance service.
An ambulance service is not required to issue any EASV authorization to a member or employee if the service feels it is not necessary for the operation of the service. The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has stated in an opinion:
"Because the law allows an emergency medical technician to use red flashing lights does not mean that an ambulance service has to allow it. Due to the fear of liability, or for other reasons, an ambulance service may prohibit some or all of its members from using red flashing lights."
Agency Policies and Procedures:
Any service wishing to authorize its employees/members to use their personal vehicles as EASVs must develop and implement an agency policy and procedures for the issuance of EASV authorization. It is recommended these include, but may not be limited to, the following:
The issuance of such authorization.
Training requirements prior to the issuance of the authorization.
Maintaining authorization.
Equipment, maintenance, and inventory requirements.
Documentation requirements for the routine inventory of equipment and supplies.
Insurance coverage.
Maintaining a copy of the members EMT certification, Driver's License, Vehicle Registration and verification of DMV Inspection.
Vehicle operations, response etc.
Procedures for revoking the authorization.
Training:
Prior to the issuance of authorization for an EASV the organization should assure the member/employee is appropriately trained in the operation of an emergency vehicle. It is recommended that the member/employee have completed at least one of the following courses:
Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control)
Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator - Ambulance (National Safety Council)
Ambulance Accident Prevention Seminar (NYS DOH)
Emergency Vehicle Operators Course - Ambulance (US DOT NHTSA)
Accountability:
A personal vehicle authorized as an EASV must meet all the requirements of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law, Article 30 of the Public Health Law, 10 NYCRR Part 800 and all applicable EMS Policy Statements.
The inappropriate use of red lights and sirens and/or the unsafe operation of any EASV may subject the EMT to violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Procedure for obtaining EASV authorization cards:
Only agencies certified as ambulance services by the Department of Health may apply for authorization of personally owned EASVs.
Prior to issuance of authorization as an EASV the Chief Executive, or their designee, shall complete a copy of the Affirmation of Compliance (DOH - 1881) that indicates each vehicle is in compliance with 10 NYCRR part 800 and have it notarized.
Any time a vehicle is added to the list of authorized vehicles an Affirmation of Compliance must be completed and notarized for the added vehicle. In the event a vehicle is removed, the department must be notified in writing.
The completed Affirmation of Compliance shall be sent to the DOH regional office for the service's operating area. The regional office will issue the appropriate window decal(s) and NYS Certification "logo" stickers for the vehicle(s).
A copy of the completed and executed Affirmation of Compliance shall be sent, along with a cover memo on agency letterhead, to the Bureau of EMS's Central Office. The Central Office will issue the numbered Emergency Vehicle Authorization Cards (DOH - 4136) to the service.
§ 375 (41). Colored and flashing lights.
41. Colored and flashing lights. The provisions of this subdivision shall govern the affixing and display of lights on vehicles, other than those lights required by law. 1. No light, other than a white light, and no revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving white light shall be affixed to, or displayed on any vehicle except as prescribed herein.
2. Red lights and certain White Lights . One or more red or combination red and white lights, or one white light which must be a revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving light, may be affixed to an authorized emergency vehicle, and such lights may be displayed on an authorized emergency vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in an emergency operation, and upon a fire vehicle while returning from an alarm of fire or other emergency.
3. Amber lights. a. One or more amber lights may be affixed to a hazard vehicle, and such a light or lights which display an amber light visible to all approaching traffic under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet from such vehicle shall be displayed on a hazard vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in a hazardous operation. Such light or lights shall not be required to be displayed during daylight hours provided at least two red flags visible from a distance of five hundred feet are placed both in or on the front of, and to or on the rear of the vehicle and two such flags are placed to each side of the vehicle open to traffic. Such lights or flags need not be displayed on the vehicle when the vehicle is operating, or parked, within a barricaded work area and said lights or flags are displayed on the barricade. The provisions of this subdivision shall not prohibit the temporary affixing and display of an amber light to be used as a warning on a disabled motor vehicle or on a motor vehicle while it is stopped on a highway while engaged in an operation which would restrict, impede or interfere with the normal flow of traffic.
b. In any city in this state having a population of one million or more, one amber light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned or operated by a volunteer member of a civilian or crime patrol provided such volunteer civilian or crime patrol member has been authorized in writing to so affix an amber light by the police commissioner of the municipality in which he patrols, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at any time by the police commissioner who issued the same or his successor in office. Such amber light may be operated by such volunteer civilian or crime patrol member in such a vehicle only when engaged in a patrol operation as defined and authorized by rules and regulations promulgated by the police commissioner and only in such a manner and at such times as may be authorized by the police commissioner pursuant to said rules and regulations.
4. Blue light. a. One blue light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he or she is employed, provided such volunteer firefighter has been authorized in writing to so affix a blue light by the chief of the fire department or company of which he or she is a member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at any time by the chief who issued the same or his or her successor in office. Such blue light may be displayed exclusively by such volunteer firefighter on such a vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation. The use of blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only by a volunteer firefighter except as otherwise provided for in subparagraph b of this paragraph.
b. In addition to the red and white lights authorized to be displayed pursuant to paragraph two of this subdivision, one or more blue lights or combination blue and red lights or combination blue, red and white lights may be affixed to a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle provided that such blue light or lights shall be displayed on a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle for rear projection only. In the event that the trunk or rear gate of a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle obstructs or diminishes the visibility of other emergency lighting on such vehicles, a blue light may be affixed to and displayed from the trunk, rear gate or interior of such vehicles. Such lights may be displayed on a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle when such vehicles are engaged in an emergency operation. Nothing contained in this subparagraph shall be deemed to authorize the use of blue lights on police vehicles, fire vehicles, ambulances, emergency ambulance service vehicles, and county emergency medical services vehicles unless such vehicles also display one or more red or combination red and white lights as otherwise authorized in this subdivision.
c. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations relating to the use, placement, power and display of blue lights on a police vehicle and fire vehicle.
5. Green light. One green light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a member of a volunteer ambulance service, or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family, or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he is employed, provided such member has been authorized in writing to so affix a green light by the chief officer of such service as designated by the members thereof. Such green light may be displayed by such member of a volunteer ambulance service only when engaged in an emergency operation.
As used in this paragraph volunteer ambulance service means: a. a non-profit membership corporation (other than a fire corporation) incorporated under or subject to the provisions of the membership corporations law, or any other law, operating its ambulance or ambulances on a non-profit basis for the convenience of the members thereof and their families or of the community or under a contract with a county, city, town or village pursuant to section one hundred twenty-two-b of the general municipal law; or
b. an unincorporated association of persons operating its ambulance or ambulances on a non-profit basis for the convenience of the members and their families or of the community.
6. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate regulations with respect to the affixing and display of colored lights and to promulgate specifications with respect to such lights.
7. The provisions of this subdivision forty-one shall not be applicable to vehicles from other states or from the Dominion of Canada which have entered this state to render police, fire or civil defense aid, or ambulance service, while such vehicles are here or are returning to their home stations if the lights on such vehicles comply with the laws of their home states or the Dominion of Canada and are displayed in this state in the same manner permitted by their home states or the Dominion of Canada, nor shall the provisions of this subdivision forty-one be deemed to amend, supersede or in any manner affect the provisions of the New York state defense emergency act as now in force or as it may be amended from time to time.
8. The provisions of this subdivision shall not be applicable to the driver of a vehicle from another state or foreign jurisdiction which vehicle has colored lights affixed but not revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving if the lights on such vehicle comply with the laws of the state or home foreign jurisdiction in which the vehicle is registered.
Authorizing Private Vehicles as EASV's (Use of Red Lights & Sirens)
Bureau of EMS Policy Statement
Policy Statement # 01-01
Date 04/11/01
Subject Re: Authorizing Private
Vehicles as EASVs
(Use of Red Lights & Sirens)
Supercedes/Updates 98-01
Introduction:
This policy is intended to clarify the requirements and procedures for utilizing personally owned vehicles (POV) as Emergency Ambulance Service Vehicles (EASV).
Authorization as an EASV involves more than just the use of red lights and a siren on a vehicle. It is expected that every EASV is in compliance with all of the provisions of 10 NYCRR Part 800.21 & .26. This includes proper agency identification, vehicle marking and patient care equipment. All vehicles authorized by the service as EASVs may be subject to inspection. In the event violations to the code are found, the violations will be charged against the service authorizing the vehicle.
Legal Basis for Use of Red Lights and Sirens in Private Vehicles
The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 115-c states:
"An emergency ambulance service vehicle shall be defined as an appropriately equipped motor vehicle owned or operated by an ambulance service as defined in section three thousand one of the public health law and used for purposes of transporting emergency medical personnel and equipment to sick and injured persons."
The Attorney General has issued an opinion (dated May 4, 1995) interpreting this section of the law as follows:
"…'owned or operated by' includes an appropriately equipped privately-owned vehicle operated by an agent of an ambulance service and used in transporting emergency medical personnel and equipment to sick and injured persons."
The Counsel to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles previously rendered an opinion that states;
"An emergency medical technician, whether a paid employee or a volunteer, performing duties for an ambulance service may equip his private vehicle with red lights and sirens and may use these red lights and sirens, in accordance with the above quoted section 115-c, to arrive at the scene of an emergency faster."
Authorization
An ambulance service shall issue written authorization using the Emergency Vehicle Authorization Card (DOH-4136). The authorization card shall be signed by both the Chief Executive Officer of the service and the EMT to whom it is issued. A copy of the authorization card and a record of it being issued shall be maintained by the service.
Authorization expires on the expiration date of the individual's EMT certification. The ambulance service may impose a shorter authorization period (e.g. annual) and has the authority, without department approval, to remove the authorization at anytime for cause.
The EASV authorization shall be considered invalid for the following reasons:
The individual is no longer an active member or employee of the authorizing ambulance service.
The individual is not currently certified by the New York State Department of Health as an Emergency Medical Technician or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.
The service is no longer certified by the New York State Department of Health as an ambulance service.
An ambulance service is not required to issue any EASV authorization to a member or employee if the service feels it is not necessary for the operation of the service. The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has stated in an opinion:
"Because the law allows an emergency medical technician to use red flashing lights does not mean that an ambulance service has to allow it. Due to the fear of liability, or for other reasons, an ambulance service may prohibit some or all of its members from using red flashing lights."
Agency Policies and Procedures:
Any service wishing to authorize its employees/members to use their personal vehicles as EASVs must develop and implement an agency policy and procedures for the issuance of EASV authorization. It is recommended these include, but may not be limited to, the following:
The issuance of such authorization.
Training requirements prior to the issuance of the authorization.
Maintaining authorization.
Equipment, maintenance, and inventory requirements.
Documentation requirements for the routine inventory of equipment and supplies.
Insurance coverage.
Maintaining a copy of the members EMT certification, Driver's License, Vehicle Registration and verification of DMV Inspection.
Vehicle operations, response etc.
Procedures for revoking the authorization.
Training:
Prior to the issuance of authorization for an EASV the organization should assure the member/employee is appropriately trained in the operation of an emergency vehicle. It is recommended that the member/employee have completed at least one of the following courses:
Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control)
Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator - Ambulance (National Safety Council)
Ambulance Accident Prevention Seminar (NYS DOH)
Emergency Vehicle Operators Course - Ambulance (US DOT NHTSA)
Accountability:
A personal vehicle authorized as an EASV must meet all the requirements of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law, Article 30 of the Public Health Law, 10 NYCRR Part 800 and all applicable EMS Policy Statements.
The inappropriate use of red lights and sirens and/or the unsafe operation of any EASV may subject the EMT to violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Procedure for obtaining EASV authorization cards:
Only agencies certified as ambulance services by the Department of Health may apply for authorization of personally owned EASVs.
Prior to issuance of authorization as an EASV the Chief Executive, or their designee, shall complete a copy of the Affirmation of Compliance (DOH - 1881) that indicates each vehicle is in compliance with 10 NYCRR part 800 and have it notarized.
Any time a vehicle is added to the list of authorized vehicles an Affirmation of Compliance must be completed and notarized for the added vehicle. In the event a vehicle is removed, the department must be notified in writing.
The completed Affirmation of Compliance shall be sent to the DOH regional office for the service's operating area. The regional office will issue the appropriate window decal(s) and NYS Certification "logo" stickers for the vehicle(s).
A copy of the completed and executed Affirmation of Compliance shall be sent, along with a cover memo on agency letterhead, to the Bureau of EMS's Central Office. The Central Office will issue the numbered Emergency Vehicle Authorization Cards (DOH - 4136) to the service.
killCARB027 said:
There is nothing in the law about fire apparatus using red and blue. However, the state police will throw a HUGE bitch fit if this is done. I know of a few departments in the state that do this and just basically tell ISP to kiss off. When my FD got our "new to us" rescue, it kept the red and blue until we got our red/amber lenses to replace the blue ones. ISP officers in the area threw a bitch fit every time we had that truck out on incidents because we were running LE only light combination. It also didn't help that the rig is still sheriff tan/brown (former SWAT buggy) even though it has Fire/Rescue markings all over it.
firefighter31
Member
With the dept I'm getting on they let us run Any color to the front of the vehicle with the exception of green(command). all they request is that there is less red then blue to the front, and red has to be on the pass side.
Who ever said this thread was only for American/Canadian laws? I've gone and dug up a bit of information on relevant British laws, found here.
Blue Light Exemptions
There is no authority that issues permission to use blue, green or amber lights on your vehicle. You must just follow the law.
Any driver can drive using blue lights without needing any higher qualification that a driving licence. Most services do insist on their drivers undergoing some form of advanced driver training though, and there are moves to establishing a national standard.
While using blue lights, drivers are exempt from a number of motoring regulations, including
- treating a red traffic light as a give way sign
- passing to the wrong side of a keep left bollard
- driving on a motorway hard shoulder (even against the direction of traffic)
- disobeying the speed limit (police, fire and ambulance services only)
However, they are not allowed to
- ignore a 'no entry' sign
- ignore a 'stop' or 'give way' sign
- drive the wrong way down a one-way street
- ignore flashing signs at level crossings or fire stations
- cross a solid white line down the middle of the road, except in the same circumstances as everyone else (for instance to pass a stationary vehicle, slow moving cyclist or horse, or a road maintenance vehicle). This can cause problems for emergency drivers when other road users slow to let them pass where road markings indicate no overtaking.
Emergency Vehicle Definition
An emergency vehicle is classed as a vehicle used:
- for police purposes (but not necessarily a police vehicle, e.g. search and rescue)
- for fire brigade purposes (but not necessarily a fire brigade vehicle)
- for ambulance purposes (but not necessarily an ambulance vehicle, e.g. cave rescue)
- as an ambulance for moving sick, injured or disabled people
- by a specialist company for fire salvage work
- by the Forestry Commission for fire fighting
- by local councils for fire fighting
- for bomb disposal
- for nuclear accidents
- by the RAF mountain rescue
- by the National Blood Service
- by HM Coastguard
- for mine rescue
- by the RNLI for launching lifeboats
- for moving around human organs
- by Revenue and Customs for serious crime
- for mountain rescue purposes
- by the military special forces (e.g. The SAS) for a national security emergency
An abnormal load escort vehicle is classed as a vehicle that is clearly marked so the public know it is for escorting abnormal loads. It must have something written on the front and reflective markings on the sides and back.
Summary of Lighting Rules
In the regulations, lights, reflectors and reflective material are all classed as lights on cars (this means that the public cannot have blue reflective graphics for example).
Any colour light is OK to be on a vehicle if it is covered up or not connected up (excluding blue).
Only emergency vehicles can be fitted with a blue flashing light, or anything that looks like a blue flashing light, whether working or not.
Some of the rules do not apply if the vehicle has just been imported or is about to be exported, or if it is a visiting foreign vehicle.
You can’t have a red light showing at the front except:
- a red and white chequered light on a fire service control vehicle
- a side marker
- a reflector on the wheel of a cycle, motorbike or invalid carriage
- a traffic sign attached to the vehicle
You can only have a steady white light to the front and a steady red light showing to the rear of your vehicle. The exceptions to this are:
BLUE
- flashing from an emergency vehicle
- flashing or constant from a police vehicle
GREEN
- on a doctor’s car
WHITE
- reversing lights
- work lamps
AMBER
- any vehicle’s indicators
- amber pedal reflectors or pedal lights
- reflected from a registration plate (In the UK, cars have a white license plate in front, and a yellow one in back.)
- reflected from a road clearance vehicle
- reflected from a vehicle carrying dangerous substances
- reflected on some old or heavy vehicles
Flashing amber lights on
- a road clearance vehicle
- a bin lorry (A garbage truck.)
- a breakdown vehicle
- a vehicle with a 25 mph top speed (Yes, they measure speed in miles per hour.)
- a vehicle wider than 2.9 metres (And yes, they also measure length in meters.)
- a roadworks vehicle
- an escort vehicle
- a Revenue and Customs vehicle
- a surveying vehicle
- a clamping or tow truck vehicle
- airport vehicles
- any other specially authorised vehicle
ANY COLOUR
- for interior lighting
- for registration plate lighting
- for taxi meter lighting
- for bus route sign lighting
- from a traffic sign attached to a vehicle
- any colour from the reflectors on a wheel of a cycle, motorbike or invalid carriage
ALSO
- white and blue chequered light from a police control vehicle
- white and red chequered light from a fire control vehicle
- white and green chequered light from an ambulance control vehicle
Any flashing warning beacon that rotates must be mounted 1.2 meters above the ground.
You must be able to clearly see one or more flashing warning lights from any 'reasonable' position around the vehicle
There are no restrictions on the size of the beam of light, wattage or intensity.
Each warning light should flash between 1 and 4 times per second and spend an equal amount of time on and off (meaning strobes are not covered). Strobes are commonly used on ambulances there, and they certainly don't have equal amounts of on and off time. They're mostly being replaced with LEDs that usually have a flash pattern that also doesn't have equal amounts of on and off time.
You can’t have a moving light on a vehicle except for:
- headlamp fine adjustment
- a light which turns with the steering wheels
- pop-up headlights
- indicators on old vehicles (Turn signals.)
- work lamps
- flashing warning lights
- reflectors on the wheels of cycles, motorbikes or invalid carriages (Wheelchairs.)
You can’t have a flashing light except for:
- indicators (Turn signals.)
- headlights on an emergency vehicle
- flashing lights as described above (on emergency vehicles and vehicles permitted to show other coloured flashing lights)
- a light or sign on a vehicle used for police purposes
- a green light used as an anti-lock braking indicator A green warning light for ABS? :dielaugh:
- lights on a traffic sign attached to a vehicle
- flashing white lights on the front of a cycle
- flashing red lights on the back of a cycle
All lights should be of British Standard (whatever the hell that means)
All lights for normal night driving should be switched on by one switch (including headlights, side markers and rear registration lights).
To use a vehicle that that doesn’t go above 25 mph on a normal dual carriageway you need to fit an amber flashing light. It is OK if you have a very old car or are just crossing the dual carriageway.
Your front and rear lights (including indicators and rear reflectors) must be visible when all the doors, bonnet, boot or similar are open.
You can’t have objects overhanging your vehicle greatly without fitting extra lights or warning signs to them.
All your lights need to be clean and working. Reflectors just need to work. The exceptions to this are when:
- the light does not need to be seen because you are towing a trailer which has lights
- a light has just stopped working on your current journey
- you have tried everything reasonable to fix it
When Flashing Lights Can Be Used
The only times when you can use your blue flashing light are when you are:
- at the scene of an emergency
- responding to an emergency
- wanting to let people know you are there
- wanting to let people know that there is a hazard on the road
The only times when you can use your amber flashing light are when you are:
- at the scene of an emergency
- wanting to let people know you are there
- at or near an accident or broken-down vehicle
- towing a broken-down vehicle
- escorting a very long or wide vehicle (below 25 mph, unless you are in an abnormal load escort vehicle)
- have special authority
The only times when you can use your green flashing light are when you are using the vehicle for an emergency and have a doctor on board.
Preserved Emergency Vehicles
Preserved emergency vehicles are not officially permitted to have blue lights attached to them when on the road, even if they are completely covered up and inoperable. Usually common sense prevails and if there is no way of being able to see the blue light unit then the police are happy.
Lifeboat Crew Members
We are often asked by lifeboat crew volunteers if they can fit blue lights to their private cars to get to the lifeboat station quickly when they are alerted to an emergency by pager. The simple answer is no! The only land-going vehicles allowed to have blue flashing lights in this situation are RNLI vehicles specifically designed for the launching of a lifeboat. There are often tractor-type vehicles with the capability to drive into water. Other private lifeboat services are not permitted blue lights, unless being used for a dual purpose, e.g. an ambulance. Crew members are not permitted to use any other colour of warning beacon either. It would not be appropriate to use amber lights as this situation falls outside of the definition of amber light use (see above) and would not speed the journey up at all. One legal alternative is to have a sign on the car to indicate the driver is part of the lifeboat crew. This does not permit any exemptions from road traffic law but does convey the intended message.
Retained Firefighters
We are often asked by retained firefighters if they can fit blue lights to their private cars to get to the fire station quickly when they are called out to an emergency. The simple answer is no! To be permitted to use blue lights, the private car would need to be registered as an emergency vehicle, have insurance as an emergency vehicles, be approved for use by the fire brigade and the driver suitably trained to drive using blue lights. This situation is unlikely to be commonplace. No other colour of flashing light is allowed. One legal alternative is to have a sign on the car to indicate the driver is part of the fire brigade. This does not permit any exemptions from road traffic law but does convey the intended message. It should be noted however that senior fire officers are often given company cars fitted with blue lights as part of their job to respond to major incidents outside of their normal working hours.
Ambulance Community First Responders
We are often asked by first responders if they can fit blue lights to their private cars to get to calls quickly when they are called out to an emergency, particularly heart attacks and people who've stopped breathing. The normal answer is no! To be permitted to use blue lights, the private car would need to be registered as an emergency vehicle, have insurance as an emergency vehicle, be approved by the ambulance service and the driver trained to run on blue lights. By the design of this service, responders should not have to travel far to emergency calls. During their journey to the emergency they have no exemptions of road traffic law.
Some ambulance services (including private ones) supply responders with a liveried-up car for their work. This may help other road users to see that an emergency response is in progress. In a small number of cases, community responders who are suitably trained are granted permission to use blue lights by individual ambulance services. In the former Staffordshire Ambulance Service area, responders were given vehicles fitted with blue lights. This practice has since stopped after it was criticised by a Healthcare Commission report.
Animal Ambulances
We have been asked a number of times about animal ambulances using blue flashing lights. When used on private land this is usually permissible, for instance at a racecourse with the organiser's permission. However the lights should be covered up when on the road. The transportation of sick or injured animals does not fall into the definition of an ambulance for the purpose of the lighting regulations. Occasionally police will permit blue lights to be used on the road when being escorted by a police vehicle also showing blue flashing lights.
Some animal ambulance companies have an understanding with the local police that they can show blue light (switched on or not) on their vehicles. It is recommended that a formal Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) is written up and signed by both sides to help reduce the chance of a prosecution for incorrect lighting. This agreement would then only be valid in the local police force area, and not in any other part of the country.
Sirens
Police, fire and ambulance vehicles are allowed to use a sirens or similar audible emergency warning devices. Other specifically mentioned permitted users are bomb disposal, blood service, coastguard, mine rescue, RAF mountain rescue and lifeboat launching vehicles. In 2005 the regulations were changed to allow the Ministry of Defence’s nuclear response team and Revenue & Customs to use sirens too.
Emergency services can use the normal horn or the siren when stationary and at night, unlike the restrictions of a normal car horn.
Some devices that are similar to sirens are allowed on non-emergency vehicles. These include car alarms, reversing alarms and chimes on ice cream vans.
Information about sirens comes from The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Part II F 37 and Part IV E 99) & The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2005.
Legal Documents
The full legislation on lighting is available to view on the website of the Office of Public Sector Information (formerly HM Stationary Office). Below are the links to the relevant parts of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations:
The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (1 November 1989):
Index - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (21 October 2005)
The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2005 (12 December 2005)
The Road Vehicles Lighting and Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (4 January 2010)
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)(Amendment)(No.4) Regulations 2009 (4 January 2010)
The Road Traffic Exemptions (Special Forces) (Variation and Amendment) Regulations 2011 (15 April 2011)
The Road Safety Act 2006, Section 19
Blue Light Exemptions
There is no authority that issues permission to use blue, green or amber lights on your vehicle. You must just follow the law.
Any driver can drive using blue lights without needing any higher qualification that a driving licence. Most services do insist on their drivers undergoing some form of advanced driver training though, and there are moves to establishing a national standard.
While using blue lights, drivers are exempt from a number of motoring regulations, including
- treating a red traffic light as a give way sign
- passing to the wrong side of a keep left bollard
- driving on a motorway hard shoulder (even against the direction of traffic)
- disobeying the speed limit (police, fire and ambulance services only)
However, they are not allowed to
- ignore a 'no entry' sign
- ignore a 'stop' or 'give way' sign
- drive the wrong way down a one-way street
- ignore flashing signs at level crossings or fire stations
- cross a solid white line down the middle of the road, except in the same circumstances as everyone else (for instance to pass a stationary vehicle, slow moving cyclist or horse, or a road maintenance vehicle). This can cause problems for emergency drivers when other road users slow to let them pass where road markings indicate no overtaking.
Emergency Vehicle Definition
An emergency vehicle is classed as a vehicle used:
- for police purposes (but not necessarily a police vehicle, e.g. search and rescue)
- for fire brigade purposes (but not necessarily a fire brigade vehicle)
- for ambulance purposes (but not necessarily an ambulance vehicle, e.g. cave rescue)
- as an ambulance for moving sick, injured or disabled people
- by a specialist company for fire salvage work
- by the Forestry Commission for fire fighting
- by local councils for fire fighting
- for bomb disposal
- for nuclear accidents
- by the RAF mountain rescue
- by the National Blood Service
- by HM Coastguard
- for mine rescue
- by the RNLI for launching lifeboats
- for moving around human organs
- by Revenue and Customs for serious crime
- for mountain rescue purposes
- by the military special forces (e.g. The SAS) for a national security emergency
An abnormal load escort vehicle is classed as a vehicle that is clearly marked so the public know it is for escorting abnormal loads. It must have something written on the front and reflective markings on the sides and back.
Summary of Lighting Rules
In the regulations, lights, reflectors and reflective material are all classed as lights on cars (this means that the public cannot have blue reflective graphics for example).
Any colour light is OK to be on a vehicle if it is covered up or not connected up (excluding blue).
Only emergency vehicles can be fitted with a blue flashing light, or anything that looks like a blue flashing light, whether working or not.
Some of the rules do not apply if the vehicle has just been imported or is about to be exported, or if it is a visiting foreign vehicle.
You can’t have a red light showing at the front except:
- a red and white chequered light on a fire service control vehicle
- a side marker
- a reflector on the wheel of a cycle, motorbike or invalid carriage
- a traffic sign attached to the vehicle
You can only have a steady white light to the front and a steady red light showing to the rear of your vehicle. The exceptions to this are:
BLUE
- flashing from an emergency vehicle
- flashing or constant from a police vehicle
GREEN
- on a doctor’s car
WHITE
- reversing lights
- work lamps
AMBER
- any vehicle’s indicators
- amber pedal reflectors or pedal lights
- reflected from a registration plate (In the UK, cars have a white license plate in front, and a yellow one in back.)
- reflected from a road clearance vehicle
- reflected from a vehicle carrying dangerous substances
- reflected on some old or heavy vehicles
Flashing amber lights on
- a road clearance vehicle
- a bin lorry (A garbage truck.)
- a breakdown vehicle
- a vehicle with a 25 mph top speed (Yes, they measure speed in miles per hour.)
- a vehicle wider than 2.9 metres (And yes, they also measure length in meters.)
- a roadworks vehicle
- an escort vehicle
- a Revenue and Customs vehicle
- a surveying vehicle
- a clamping or tow truck vehicle
- airport vehicles
- any other specially authorised vehicle
ANY COLOUR
- for interior lighting
- for registration plate lighting
- for taxi meter lighting
- for bus route sign lighting
- from a traffic sign attached to a vehicle
- any colour from the reflectors on a wheel of a cycle, motorbike or invalid carriage
ALSO
- white and blue chequered light from a police control vehicle
- white and red chequered light from a fire control vehicle
- white and green chequered light from an ambulance control vehicle
Any flashing warning beacon that rotates must be mounted 1.2 meters above the ground.
You must be able to clearly see one or more flashing warning lights from any 'reasonable' position around the vehicle
There are no restrictions on the size of the beam of light, wattage or intensity.
Each warning light should flash between 1 and 4 times per second and spend an equal amount of time on and off (meaning strobes are not covered). Strobes are commonly used on ambulances there, and they certainly don't have equal amounts of on and off time. They're mostly being replaced with LEDs that usually have a flash pattern that also doesn't have equal amounts of on and off time.
You can’t have a moving light on a vehicle except for:
- headlamp fine adjustment
- a light which turns with the steering wheels
- pop-up headlights
- indicators on old vehicles (Turn signals.)
- work lamps
- flashing warning lights
- reflectors on the wheels of cycles, motorbikes or invalid carriages (Wheelchairs.)
You can’t have a flashing light except for:
- indicators (Turn signals.)
- headlights on an emergency vehicle
- flashing lights as described above (on emergency vehicles and vehicles permitted to show other coloured flashing lights)
- a light or sign on a vehicle used for police purposes
- a green light used as an anti-lock braking indicator A green warning light for ABS? :dielaugh:
- lights on a traffic sign attached to a vehicle
- flashing white lights on the front of a cycle
- flashing red lights on the back of a cycle
All lights should be of British Standard (whatever the hell that means)
All lights for normal night driving should be switched on by one switch (including headlights, side markers and rear registration lights).
To use a vehicle that that doesn’t go above 25 mph on a normal dual carriageway you need to fit an amber flashing light. It is OK if you have a very old car or are just crossing the dual carriageway.
Your front and rear lights (including indicators and rear reflectors) must be visible when all the doors, bonnet, boot or similar are open.
You can’t have objects overhanging your vehicle greatly without fitting extra lights or warning signs to them.
All your lights need to be clean and working. Reflectors just need to work. The exceptions to this are when:
- the light does not need to be seen because you are towing a trailer which has lights
- a light has just stopped working on your current journey
- you have tried everything reasonable to fix it
When Flashing Lights Can Be Used
The only times when you can use your blue flashing light are when you are:
- at the scene of an emergency
- responding to an emergency
- wanting to let people know you are there
- wanting to let people know that there is a hazard on the road
The only times when you can use your amber flashing light are when you are:
- at the scene of an emergency
- wanting to let people know you are there
- at or near an accident or broken-down vehicle
- towing a broken-down vehicle
- escorting a very long or wide vehicle (below 25 mph, unless you are in an abnormal load escort vehicle)
- have special authority
The only times when you can use your green flashing light are when you are using the vehicle for an emergency and have a doctor on board.
Preserved Emergency Vehicles
Preserved emergency vehicles are not officially permitted to have blue lights attached to them when on the road, even if they are completely covered up and inoperable. Usually common sense prevails and if there is no way of being able to see the blue light unit then the police are happy.
Lifeboat Crew Members
We are often asked by lifeboat crew volunteers if they can fit blue lights to their private cars to get to the lifeboat station quickly when they are alerted to an emergency by pager. The simple answer is no! The only land-going vehicles allowed to have blue flashing lights in this situation are RNLI vehicles specifically designed for the launching of a lifeboat. There are often tractor-type vehicles with the capability to drive into water. Other private lifeboat services are not permitted blue lights, unless being used for a dual purpose, e.g. an ambulance. Crew members are not permitted to use any other colour of warning beacon either. It would not be appropriate to use amber lights as this situation falls outside of the definition of amber light use (see above) and would not speed the journey up at all. One legal alternative is to have a sign on the car to indicate the driver is part of the lifeboat crew. This does not permit any exemptions from road traffic law but does convey the intended message.
Retained Firefighters
We are often asked by retained firefighters if they can fit blue lights to their private cars to get to the fire station quickly when they are called out to an emergency. The simple answer is no! To be permitted to use blue lights, the private car would need to be registered as an emergency vehicle, have insurance as an emergency vehicles, be approved for use by the fire brigade and the driver suitably trained to drive using blue lights. This situation is unlikely to be commonplace. No other colour of flashing light is allowed. One legal alternative is to have a sign on the car to indicate the driver is part of the fire brigade. This does not permit any exemptions from road traffic law but does convey the intended message. It should be noted however that senior fire officers are often given company cars fitted with blue lights as part of their job to respond to major incidents outside of their normal working hours.
Ambulance Community First Responders
We are often asked by first responders if they can fit blue lights to their private cars to get to calls quickly when they are called out to an emergency, particularly heart attacks and people who've stopped breathing. The normal answer is no! To be permitted to use blue lights, the private car would need to be registered as an emergency vehicle, have insurance as an emergency vehicle, be approved by the ambulance service and the driver trained to run on blue lights. By the design of this service, responders should not have to travel far to emergency calls. During their journey to the emergency they have no exemptions of road traffic law.
Some ambulance services (including private ones) supply responders with a liveried-up car for their work. This may help other road users to see that an emergency response is in progress. In a small number of cases, community responders who are suitably trained are granted permission to use blue lights by individual ambulance services. In the former Staffordshire Ambulance Service area, responders were given vehicles fitted with blue lights. This practice has since stopped after it was criticised by a Healthcare Commission report.
Animal Ambulances
We have been asked a number of times about animal ambulances using blue flashing lights. When used on private land this is usually permissible, for instance at a racecourse with the organiser's permission. However the lights should be covered up when on the road. The transportation of sick or injured animals does not fall into the definition of an ambulance for the purpose of the lighting regulations. Occasionally police will permit blue lights to be used on the road when being escorted by a police vehicle also showing blue flashing lights.
Some animal ambulance companies have an understanding with the local police that they can show blue light (switched on or not) on their vehicles. It is recommended that a formal Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) is written up and signed by both sides to help reduce the chance of a prosecution for incorrect lighting. This agreement would then only be valid in the local police force area, and not in any other part of the country.
Sirens
Police, fire and ambulance vehicles are allowed to use a sirens or similar audible emergency warning devices. Other specifically mentioned permitted users are bomb disposal, blood service, coastguard, mine rescue, RAF mountain rescue and lifeboat launching vehicles. In 2005 the regulations were changed to allow the Ministry of Defence’s nuclear response team and Revenue & Customs to use sirens too.
Emergency services can use the normal horn or the siren when stationary and at night, unlike the restrictions of a normal car horn.
Some devices that are similar to sirens are allowed on non-emergency vehicles. These include car alarms, reversing alarms and chimes on ice cream vans.
Information about sirens comes from The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Part II F 37 and Part IV E 99) & The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2005.
Legal Documents
The full legislation on lighting is available to view on the website of the Office of Public Sector Information (formerly HM Stationary Office). Below are the links to the relevant parts of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations:
The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (1 November 1989):
Index - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (21 October 2005)
The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2005 (12 December 2005)
The Road Vehicles Lighting and Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (4 January 2010)
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)(Amendment)(No.4) Regulations 2009 (4 January 2010)
The Road Traffic Exemptions (Special Forces) (Variation and Amendment) Regulations 2011 (15 April 2011)
The Road Safety Act 2006, Section 19
Last edited by a moderator:
ILLINOIS
(625 ILCS 5/12-215) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-215)
(Text of Section from P.A. 97-39)
Sec. 12-215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or
local authorities;
2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county
coroner and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a law enforcement vehicle; however, such designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle;
2.1. A vehicle operated by a fire chief who has
completed an emergency vehicle operation training course approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a fire department, fire protection district, or township fire department vehicle; however, the designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle, and the lights may be visible or activated only when responding to a bona fide emergency;
3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles;
4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call for and while actually conveying the sick or injured;
5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such
lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on any such tow truck while the tow truck is operating in the State of Illinois;
6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety;
7. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act;
8. School buses operating alternately flashing head
lamps as permitted under Section 12-805 of this Code;
9. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transplant vehicles when used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall be lighted only when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization; and
10. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives emergency response.
( B) The use of amber oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Second division vehicles designed and used for
towing or hoisting vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as required in this paragraph 1; such lights shall be lighted when such vehicles are actually being used at the scene of an accident or disablement; if the towing vehicle is equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of the vehicle being transported, the lights shall not be lighted while the vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway; if the towing vehicle is not equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of a vehicle being transported, the lights shall be lighted while the towing vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway during all times when the use of headlights is required under Section 12-201 of this Code;
2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of
Illinois, local authorities and contractors; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance or construction operations within the limits of construction projects;
3. Vehicles or equipment used by engineering or
survey crews; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are actually engaged in work on a highway;
4. Vehicles of public utilities, municipalities, or
other construction, maintenance or automotive service vehicles except that such lights shall be lighted only as a means for indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance, service or construction on a highway;
5. Oversized vehicle or load; however, such lights
shall only be lighted when moving under permit issued by the Department under Section 15-301 of this Code;
6. The front and rear of motorized equipment owned
and operated by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision thereof, which is designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways;
(6.1) The front and rear of motorized equipment or
vehicles that (i) are not owned by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision of the State, (ii) are designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways and parking lots, and (iii) are equipped with a snow plow that is 12 feet in width; these lights may not be lighted except when the motorized equipment or vehicle is actually being used for those purposes on behalf of a unit of government;
7. Fleet safety vehicles registered in another state,
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as provided for in Section 12-212 of this Code;
8. Such other vehicles as may be authorized by local
authorities;
9. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights;
9.5. Propane delivery trucks;
10. Vehicles used for collecting or delivering mail
for the United States Postal Service provided that such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;
11. Any vehicle displaying a slow-moving vehicle
emblem as provided in Section 12-205.1;
12. All trucks equipped with self-compactors or
roll-off hoists and roll-on containers for garbage or refuse hauling. Such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;
13. Vehicles used by a security company, alarm
responder, or control agency;
14. Security vehicles of the Department of Human
Services; however, the lights shall not be lighted except when being used for security related purposes under the direction of the superintendent of the facility where the vehicle is located; and
15. Vehicles of union representatives, except that
the lights shall be lighted only while the vehicle is within the limits of a construction project.
© The use of blue oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Rescue squad vehicles not owned by a fire
department and vehicles owned or operated by a:
voluntary firefighter;
paid firefighter;
part-paid firefighter;
call firefighter;
member of the board of trustees of a fire
protection district;
paid or unpaid member of a rescue squad;
paid or unpaid member of a voluntary ambulance
unit; or
paid or unpaid members of a local or county
emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, and carrying that designation or authorization in the vehicle.
However, such lights are not to be lighted except
when responding to a bona fide emergency or when parked or stationary at the scene of a fire, rescue call, ambulance call, or motor vehicle accident.
Any person using these lights in accordance with this
subdivision ©1 must carry on his or her person an identification card or letter identifying the bona fide member of a fire department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency that owns or operates that vehicle. The card or letter must include:
(A) the name of the fire department, fire
protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;
( B) the member's position within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;
© the member's term of service; and
(D) the name of a person within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency to contact to verify the information provided.
2. Police department vehicles in cities having a
population of 500,000 or more inhabitants.
3. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.
4. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.
5. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call.
6. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transport vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall only be lighted when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization.
7. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
8. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
9. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives emergency response, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
(c-1) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection ©, and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a voluntary firefighter, a voluntary member of a rescue squad, or a member of a voluntary ambulance unit may be equipped with flashing white headlights and blue grill lights, which may be used only in responding to an emergency call or when parked or stationary at the scene of a fire, rescue call, ambulance call, or motor vehicle accident.
(c-2) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection ©, and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a paid or unpaid member of a local or county emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, may be equipped with white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights to be used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, if authorization by local authorities is in writing and carried in the vehicle.
(d) The use of a combination of amber and white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois, local authorities, contractors, and union representatives may be so equipped; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on vehicles of the State of Illinois, local authorities, and contractors except while such vehicles are engaged in highway maintenance or construction operations within the limits of highway construction projects, and shall not be lighted on the vehicles of union representatives except when those vehicles are within the limits of a construction project.
(e) All oscillating, rotating or flashing lights referred to in this Section shall be of sufficient intensity, when illuminated, to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer of oscillating, rotating or flashing lights or his representative from temporarily mounting such lights on a vehicle for demonstration purposes only.
(g) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (a), ( B) , © or (d) of this Section who without lawful authority stops or detains or attempts to stop or detain another person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.
(h) Except as provided in subsection (g) above, any person violating the provisions of subsections (a) or © of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 96-214, eff. 8-10-09; 96-1190, eff. 7-22-10; 97-39, eff. 1-1-12.)
(Text of Section from P.A. 97-149)
Sec. 12-215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or
local authorities;
2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county
coroner and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a law enforcement vehicle; however, such designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle;
2.1. A vehicle operated by a fire chief who has
completed an emergency vehicle operation training course approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a fire department, fire protection district, or township fire department vehicle; however, the designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle, and the lights may be visible or activated only when responding to a bona fide emergency;
3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles;
4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call for and while actually conveying the sick or injured;
5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such
lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on any such tow truck while the tow truck is operating in the State of Illinois;
6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety;
7. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act;
8. School buses operating alternately flashing head
lamps as permitted under Section 12-805 of this Code;
9. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transplant vehicles when used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall be lighted only when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization; and
10. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives emergency response.
( B) The use of amber oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Second division vehicles designed and used for
towing or hoisting vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as required in this paragraph 1; such lights shall be lighted when such vehicles are actually being used at the scene of an accident or disablement; if the towing vehicle is equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of the vehicle being transported, the lights shall not be lighted while the vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway; if the towing vehicle is not equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of a vehicle being transported, the lights shall be lighted while the towing vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway during all times when the use of headlights is required under Section 12-201 of this Code;
2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of
Illinois, local authorities and contractors; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance or construction operations within the limits of construction projects;
3. Vehicles or equipment used by engineering or
survey crews; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are actually engaged in work on a highway;
4. Vehicles of public utilities, municipalities, or
other construction, maintenance or automotive service vehicles except that such lights shall be lighted only as a means for indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance, service or construction on a highway;
5. Oversized vehicle or load; however, such lights
shall only be lighted when moving under permit issued by the Department under Section 15-301 of this Code;
6. The front and rear of motorized equipment owned
and operated by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision thereof, which is designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways;
(6.1) The front and rear of motorized equipment or
vehicles that (i) are not owned by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision of the State, (ii) are designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways and parking lots, and (iii) are equipped with a snow plow that is 12 feet in width; these lights may not be lighted except when the motorized equipment or vehicle is actually being used for those purposes on behalf of a unit of government;
7. Fleet safety vehicles registered in another state,
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as provided for in Section 12-212 of this Code;
8. Such other vehicles as may be authorized by local
authorities;
9. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights;
9.5. Propane delivery trucks;
10. Vehicles used for collecting or delivering mail
for the United States Postal Service provided that such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;
10.5. Vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State
Fire Marshal, provided that such lights shall not be lighted except for when such vehicles are engaged in work for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal;
11. Any vehicle displaying a slow-moving vehicle
emblem as provided in Section 12-205.1;
12. All trucks equipped with self-compactors or
roll-off hoists and roll-on containers for garbage or refuse hauling. Such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;
13. Vehicles used by a security company, alarm
responder, or control agency;
14. Security vehicles of the Department of Human
Services; however, the lights shall not be lighted except when being used for security related purposes under the direction of the superintendent of the facility where the vehicle is located; and
15. Vehicles of union representatives, except that
the lights shall be lighted only while the vehicle is within the limits of a construction project.
© The use of blue oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Rescue squad vehicles not owned by a fire
department and vehicles owned or operated by a:
voluntary firefighter;
paid firefighter;
part-paid firefighter;
call firefighter;
member of the board of trustees of a fire
protection district;
paid or unpaid member of a rescue squad;
paid or unpaid member of a voluntary ambulance
unit; or
paid or unpaid members of a local or county
emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, and carrying that designation or authorization in the vehicle.
However, such lights are not to be lighted except
when responding to a bona fide emergency.
Any person using these lights in accordance with this
subdivision ©1 must carry on his or her person an identification card or letter identifying the bona fide member of a fire department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency that owns or operates that vehicle. The card or letter must include:
(A) the name of the fire department, fire
protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;
( B) the member's position within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;
© the member's term of service; and
(D) the name of a person within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency to contact to verify the information provided.
2. Police department vehicles in cities having a
population of 500,000 or more inhabitants.
3. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.
4. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.
5. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call.
6. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transport vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall only be lighted when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization.
7. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
8. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
9. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives emergency response, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
(c-1) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection ©, and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a voluntary firefighter, a voluntary member of a rescue squad, or a member of a voluntary ambulance unit may be equipped with flashing white headlights and blue grill lights, which may be used only in responding to an emergency call.
(c-2) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection ©, and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a paid or unpaid member of a local or county emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, may be equipped with white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights to be used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, if authorization by local authorities is in writing and carried in the vehicle.
(d) The use of a combination of amber and white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois, local authorities, contractors, and union representatives may be so equipped; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on vehicles of the State of Illinois, local authorities, and contractors except while such vehicles are engaged in highway maintenance or construction operations within the limits of highway construction projects, and shall not be lighted on the vehicles of union representatives except when those vehicles are within the limits of a construction project.
(e) All oscillating, rotating or flashing lights referred to in this Section shall be of sufficient intensity, when illuminated, to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer of oscillating, rotating or flashing lights or his representative from temporarily mounting such lights on a vehicle for demonstration purposes only.
(g) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (a), ( B) , © or (d) of this Section who without lawful authority stops or detains or attempts to stop or detain another person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.
(h) Except as provided in subsection (g) above, any person violating the provisions of subsections (a) or © of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 96-214, eff. 8-10-09; 96-1190, eff. 7-22-10; 97-149, eff. 7-14-11.)
Sections: Previous 12-208 12-209 12-210 12-211 12-212 12-214 12-214.1 12-215 12-216 12-217 12-301 12-302 12-401 12-402 12-403 Next
Last modified: February 20, 2012
(625 ILCS 5/12-215) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-215)
(Text of Section from P.A. 97-39)
Sec. 12-215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or
local authorities;
2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county
coroner and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a law enforcement vehicle; however, such designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle;
2.1. A vehicle operated by a fire chief who has
completed an emergency vehicle operation training course approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a fire department, fire protection district, or township fire department vehicle; however, the designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle, and the lights may be visible or activated only when responding to a bona fide emergency;
3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles;
4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call for and while actually conveying the sick or injured;
5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such
lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on any such tow truck while the tow truck is operating in the State of Illinois;
6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety;
7. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act;
8. School buses operating alternately flashing head
lamps as permitted under Section 12-805 of this Code;
9. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transplant vehicles when used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall be lighted only when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization; and
10. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives emergency response.
( B) The use of amber oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Second division vehicles designed and used for
towing or hoisting vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as required in this paragraph 1; such lights shall be lighted when such vehicles are actually being used at the scene of an accident or disablement; if the towing vehicle is equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of the vehicle being transported, the lights shall not be lighted while the vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway; if the towing vehicle is not equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of a vehicle being transported, the lights shall be lighted while the towing vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway during all times when the use of headlights is required under Section 12-201 of this Code;
2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of
Illinois, local authorities and contractors; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance or construction operations within the limits of construction projects;
3. Vehicles or equipment used by engineering or
survey crews; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are actually engaged in work on a highway;
4. Vehicles of public utilities, municipalities, or
other construction, maintenance or automotive service vehicles except that such lights shall be lighted only as a means for indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance, service or construction on a highway;
5. Oversized vehicle or load; however, such lights
shall only be lighted when moving under permit issued by the Department under Section 15-301 of this Code;
6. The front and rear of motorized equipment owned
and operated by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision thereof, which is designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways;
(6.1) The front and rear of motorized equipment or
vehicles that (i) are not owned by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision of the State, (ii) are designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways and parking lots, and (iii) are equipped with a snow plow that is 12 feet in width; these lights may not be lighted except when the motorized equipment or vehicle is actually being used for those purposes on behalf of a unit of government;
7. Fleet safety vehicles registered in another state,
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as provided for in Section 12-212 of this Code;
8. Such other vehicles as may be authorized by local
authorities;
9. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights;
9.5. Propane delivery trucks;
10. Vehicles used for collecting or delivering mail
for the United States Postal Service provided that such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;
11. Any vehicle displaying a slow-moving vehicle
emblem as provided in Section 12-205.1;
12. All trucks equipped with self-compactors or
roll-off hoists and roll-on containers for garbage or refuse hauling. Such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;
13. Vehicles used by a security company, alarm
responder, or control agency;
14. Security vehicles of the Department of Human
Services; however, the lights shall not be lighted except when being used for security related purposes under the direction of the superintendent of the facility where the vehicle is located; and
15. Vehicles of union representatives, except that
the lights shall be lighted only while the vehicle is within the limits of a construction project.
© The use of blue oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Rescue squad vehicles not owned by a fire
department and vehicles owned or operated by a:
voluntary firefighter;
paid firefighter;
part-paid firefighter;
call firefighter;
member of the board of trustees of a fire
protection district;
paid or unpaid member of a rescue squad;
paid or unpaid member of a voluntary ambulance
unit; or
paid or unpaid members of a local or county
emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, and carrying that designation or authorization in the vehicle.
However, such lights are not to be lighted except
when responding to a bona fide emergency or when parked or stationary at the scene of a fire, rescue call, ambulance call, or motor vehicle accident.
Any person using these lights in accordance with this
subdivision ©1 must carry on his or her person an identification card or letter identifying the bona fide member of a fire department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency that owns or operates that vehicle. The card or letter must include:
(A) the name of the fire department, fire
protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;
( B) the member's position within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;
© the member's term of service; and
(D) the name of a person within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency to contact to verify the information provided.
2. Police department vehicles in cities having a
population of 500,000 or more inhabitants.
3. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.
4. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.
5. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call.
6. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transport vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall only be lighted when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization.
7. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
8. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
9. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives emergency response, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
(c-1) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection ©, and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a voluntary firefighter, a voluntary member of a rescue squad, or a member of a voluntary ambulance unit may be equipped with flashing white headlights and blue grill lights, which may be used only in responding to an emergency call or when parked or stationary at the scene of a fire, rescue call, ambulance call, or motor vehicle accident.
(c-2) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection ©, and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a paid or unpaid member of a local or county emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, may be equipped with white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights to be used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, if authorization by local authorities is in writing and carried in the vehicle.
(d) The use of a combination of amber and white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois, local authorities, contractors, and union representatives may be so equipped; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on vehicles of the State of Illinois, local authorities, and contractors except while such vehicles are engaged in highway maintenance or construction operations within the limits of highway construction projects, and shall not be lighted on the vehicles of union representatives except when those vehicles are within the limits of a construction project.
(e) All oscillating, rotating or flashing lights referred to in this Section shall be of sufficient intensity, when illuminated, to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer of oscillating, rotating or flashing lights or his representative from temporarily mounting such lights on a vehicle for demonstration purposes only.
(g) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (a), ( B) , © or (d) of this Section who without lawful authority stops or detains or attempts to stop or detain another person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.
(h) Except as provided in subsection (g) above, any person violating the provisions of subsections (a) or © of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 96-214, eff. 8-10-09; 96-1190, eff. 7-22-10; 97-39, eff. 1-1-12.)
(Text of Section from P.A. 97-149)
Sec. 12-215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or
local authorities;
2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county
coroner and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a law enforcement vehicle; however, such designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle;
2.1. A vehicle operated by a fire chief who has
completed an emergency vehicle operation training course approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a fire department, fire protection district, or township fire department vehicle; however, the designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle, and the lights may be visible or activated only when responding to a bona fide emergency;
3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles;
4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call for and while actually conveying the sick or injured;
5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such
lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on any such tow truck while the tow truck is operating in the State of Illinois;
6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety;
7. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act;
8. School buses operating alternately flashing head
lamps as permitted under Section 12-805 of this Code;
9. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transplant vehicles when used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall be lighted only when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization; and
10. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives emergency response.
( B) The use of amber oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Second division vehicles designed and used for
towing or hoisting vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as required in this paragraph 1; such lights shall be lighted when such vehicles are actually being used at the scene of an accident or disablement; if the towing vehicle is equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of the vehicle being transported, the lights shall not be lighted while the vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway; if the towing vehicle is not equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of a vehicle being transported, the lights shall be lighted while the towing vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway during all times when the use of headlights is required under Section 12-201 of this Code;
2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of
Illinois, local authorities and contractors; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance or construction operations within the limits of construction projects;
3. Vehicles or equipment used by engineering or
survey crews; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are actually engaged in work on a highway;
4. Vehicles of public utilities, municipalities, or
other construction, maintenance or automotive service vehicles except that such lights shall be lighted only as a means for indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance, service or construction on a highway;
5. Oversized vehicle or load; however, such lights
shall only be lighted when moving under permit issued by the Department under Section 15-301 of this Code;
6. The front and rear of motorized equipment owned
and operated by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision thereof, which is designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways;
(6.1) The front and rear of motorized equipment or
vehicles that (i) are not owned by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision of the State, (ii) are designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways and parking lots, and (iii) are equipped with a snow plow that is 12 feet in width; these lights may not be lighted except when the motorized equipment or vehicle is actually being used for those purposes on behalf of a unit of government;
7. Fleet safety vehicles registered in another state,
furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as provided for in Section 12-212 of this Code;
8. Such other vehicles as may be authorized by local
authorities;
9. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights;
9.5. Propane delivery trucks;
10. Vehicles used for collecting or delivering mail
for the United States Postal Service provided that such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;
10.5. Vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State
Fire Marshal, provided that such lights shall not be lighted except for when such vehicles are engaged in work for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal;
11. Any vehicle displaying a slow-moving vehicle
emblem as provided in Section 12-205.1;
12. All trucks equipped with self-compactors or
roll-off hoists and roll-on containers for garbage or refuse hauling. Such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;
13. Vehicles used by a security company, alarm
responder, or control agency;
14. Security vehicles of the Department of Human
Services; however, the lights shall not be lighted except when being used for security related purposes under the direction of the superintendent of the facility where the vehicle is located; and
15. Vehicles of union representatives, except that
the lights shall be lighted only while the vehicle is within the limits of a construction project.
© The use of blue oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Rescue squad vehicles not owned by a fire
department and vehicles owned or operated by a:
voluntary firefighter;
paid firefighter;
part-paid firefighter;
call firefighter;
member of the board of trustees of a fire
protection district;
paid or unpaid member of a rescue squad;
paid or unpaid member of a voluntary ambulance
unit; or
paid or unpaid members of a local or county
emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, and carrying that designation or authorization in the vehicle.
However, such lights are not to be lighted except
when responding to a bona fide emergency.
Any person using these lights in accordance with this
subdivision ©1 must carry on his or her person an identification card or letter identifying the bona fide member of a fire department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency that owns or operates that vehicle. The card or letter must include:
(A) the name of the fire department, fire
protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;
( B) the member's position within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;
© the member's term of service; and
(D) the name of a person within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency to contact to verify the information provided.
2. Police department vehicles in cities having a
population of 500,000 or more inhabitants.
3. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.
4. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.
5. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call.
6. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transport vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall only be lighted when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization.
7. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
8. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
9. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives emergency response, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
(c-1) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection ©, and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a voluntary firefighter, a voluntary member of a rescue squad, or a member of a voluntary ambulance unit may be equipped with flashing white headlights and blue grill lights, which may be used only in responding to an emergency call.
(c-2) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection ©, and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a paid or unpaid member of a local or county emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, may be equipped with white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights to be used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, if authorization by local authorities is in writing and carried in the vehicle.
(d) The use of a combination of amber and white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois, local authorities, contractors, and union representatives may be so equipped; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on vehicles of the State of Illinois, local authorities, and contractors except while such vehicles are engaged in highway maintenance or construction operations within the limits of highway construction projects, and shall not be lighted on the vehicles of union representatives except when those vehicles are within the limits of a construction project.
(e) All oscillating, rotating or flashing lights referred to in this Section shall be of sufficient intensity, when illuminated, to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer of oscillating, rotating or flashing lights or his representative from temporarily mounting such lights on a vehicle for demonstration purposes only.
(g) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (a), ( B) , © or (d) of this Section who without lawful authority stops or detains or attempts to stop or detain another person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.
(h) Except as provided in subsection (g) above, any person violating the provisions of subsections (a) or © of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 96-214, eff. 8-10-09; 96-1190, eff. 7-22-10; 97-149, eff. 7-14-11.)
Sections: Previous 12-208 12-209 12-210 12-211 12-212 12-214 12-214.1 12-215 12-216 12-217 12-301 12-302 12-401 12-402 12-403 Next
Last modified: February 20, 2012
HILO
Member
Texas-Red-Blue-Clear
§ 547.305. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF LIGHTS. (a) A motor
vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp,
spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or
school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity
brighter than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of
the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a
distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
( B) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not
operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle,
with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from
directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle.
© A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a
red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless
the equipment is:
(1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter;
or
(2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp,
or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law.
(d) A vehicle may be equipped with alternately flashing
lighting equipment described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if
the vehicle is:
(1) a school bus;
(2) an authorized emergency vehicle;
(3) a church bus that has the words "church bus"
printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly
discernable to other vehicle operators;
(4) a tow truck while under the direction of a law
enforcement officer at the scene of an accident or while hooking up
to a disabled vehicle on a roadway; or
(5) a tow truck with a mounted light bar which has turn
signals and stop lamps in addition to those required by Sections
547.322, 547.323, and 547.324, Transportation Code.
(e) A person may not operate highway maintenance or service
equipment, including snow-removal equipment, that is not equipped
with lamps or that does not display lighted lamps as required by the
standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Department of
Transportation.
(f) In this section "tow truck" means a motor vehicle or
mechanical device that is adapted or used to tow, winch, or move a
disabled vehicle.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended
by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 380, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999.
Note, it says "EQUIPPED WITH" which means on or off, if it's on the car, its against the law. LED lights with clear lenses is reason to pull a vehicle over, as they appear to be clear lights until turned on. If it's amber or green your good. Purple lights have been ticketed, and ruled a combination of red and blue by the courts, thus illegal in Texas. Enforcement is rare for blue, clear, and purple. Red flashing to the rear often gets over looked as well.
§ 547.305. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF LIGHTS. (a) A motor
vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp,
spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or
school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity
brighter than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of
the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a
distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
( B) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not
operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle,
with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from
directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle.
© A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a
red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless
the equipment is:
(1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter;
or
(2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp,
or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law.
(d) A vehicle may be equipped with alternately flashing
lighting equipment described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if
the vehicle is:
(1) a school bus;
(2) an authorized emergency vehicle;
(3) a church bus that has the words "church bus"
printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly
discernable to other vehicle operators;
(4) a tow truck while under the direction of a law
enforcement officer at the scene of an accident or while hooking up
to a disabled vehicle on a roadway; or
(5) a tow truck with a mounted light bar which has turn
signals and stop lamps in addition to those required by Sections
547.322, 547.323, and 547.324, Transportation Code.
(e) A person may not operate highway maintenance or service
equipment, including snow-removal equipment, that is not equipped
with lamps or that does not display lighted lamps as required by the
standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Department of
Transportation.
(f) In this section "tow truck" means a motor vehicle or
mechanical device that is adapted or used to tow, winch, or move a
disabled vehicle.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended
by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 380, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999.
Note, it says "EQUIPPED WITH" which means on or off, if it's on the car, its against the law. LED lights with clear lenses is reason to pull a vehicle over, as they appear to be clear lights until turned on. If it's amber or green your good. Purple lights have been ticketed, and ruled a combination of red and blue by the courts, thus illegal in Texas. Enforcement is rare for blue, clear, and purple. Red flashing to the rear often gets over looked as well.
I'm planning a trip to Indiana to pick up parts for my fire truck and was wondering if someone could tell me the specifics on the amber light laws in those three states. I will be driving a ford van with a mx7000 with a traffic advisor on it. Do I have to cover it up change the lenses to red and blue (Joking) or can I leave it as is? But before anyone says the usual " the search button is your friend.", thingy, I did and was shown nothing for those states in amber. I also googled for this in these states and come up with everything and nothing at all. So specific laws would be helpful. Thanks for the help.
gfpd26
Member
Illinois wont say a word. Everyone here has amber for one reason or another. You should have no issues
Actually, Illinois and Indiana are both covered in the Official State warning law discussion thread. Iowa is, however, still missing.
Thanks for the information everyone. JPH2 Thanks for the link. That's what I was looking for but would not come up. Thanks again.
IOWA
RED: For use by any EV, Tow trucks while responding to a police controlled incident, and strangely enough hearses in a procession.
BLUE: Can be used on any EV except that a vehicle used by law enforcement must have the blue the the passenger side ONLY, Also color for Volly FF's with signed permit from chief with no regulated amount of lighting.
White: Usable by EMS Vollys with signed permit from EMS coordinator of department, school bus strobe, mail vehicles (any color shade between white and amber), and any emergency vehicle.
Amber: Must be a vehicle that presents a hazard, mail vehicles (any color shade between white and amber), security as well
Green and purple so far have no official laws on the books. Some hospital security have started using green.
RED: For use by any EV, Tow trucks while responding to a police controlled incident, and strangely enough hearses in a procession.
BLUE: Can be used on any EV except that a vehicle used by law enforcement must have the blue the the passenger side ONLY, Also color for Volly FF's with signed permit from chief with no regulated amount of lighting.
White: Usable by EMS Vollys with signed permit from EMS coordinator of department, school bus strobe, mail vehicles (any color shade between white and amber), and any emergency vehicle.
Amber: Must be a vehicle that presents a hazard, mail vehicles (any color shade between white and amber), security as well
Green and purple so far have no official laws on the books. Some hospital security have started using green.
kd0giz said:
Just a few notes about Iowa. The law doesn't address amber lights with regards to Security in any way, shape or form. It addresses vehicles that present a hazard, slow moving vehicles, and alternating school bus lights. Also, blue lights and white lights used by VFF's or EMT's are courtesy lights only.
I hope this is the right thread to ask this, but I am about to take a road trip from NY down to NC through the states in the title. I was wondering if I will have any trouble with my lights. I've got a lightbar on the top of my car, a 4 head in the front dash, two 2-heads on the rear, next to the brake light. All but the rears are permanently mounted. They are all blue LED's, so there is no color showing and I have absolutely no intentions of using them if there is an emergency I happen to pass.
Just curious what I should do, if anything, before I go? I have the authorized blue light card required for NY state, plus my department ID card. Is there anything I should expect?
Just curious what I should do, if anything, before I go? I have the authorized blue light card required for NY state, plus my department ID card. Is there anything I should expect?
If they are clear lens you should not have a problem. I drove from pa to florida with a full lightbar on and grill light and all that jazz and didn't get pulled over once. But if you want to be safe cover up the lightbar with a trash bag and the perament lights lens with like duck tape so they could not be used. or just pull the fuses for the rear deck lights.
ejwa
Member
These are the KRS (Kentucky Reformed Statues) that I found pertaining to this thread. I will also include the KRS for the definitions of vehicles reconized by the state.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/189-00/910.PDF
189.910 Definitions for KRS 189.920 to 189.950.
(1) As used in KRS 189.920 to 189.950, "emergency vehicle" means any vehicle used for emergency purposes by:
(a) The Department of Kentucky State Police;
( B) A public police department;
© The Department of Corrections;
(d) A sheriff's office;
(e) A rescue squad;
(f) An emergency management agency if it is a publicly owned vehicle;
(g) An ambulance service or medical first-response provider licensed by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, for any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or to transport a patient with a critical medical condition;
(h) Any vehicle commandeered by a police officer;
(i) Any vehicle with the emergency lights required under KRS 189.920 used by a paid or volunteer fireman or paid or volunteer ambulance personnel, or a paid or local emergency management director while responding to an emergency or to a location where an emergency vehicle is on emergency call;
(j) An elected coroner granted permission to equip a publicly or privately owned motor vehicle with lights and siren pursuant to KRS 189.920; or
(k) A deputy coroner granted permission to equip a publicly or privately owned motor vehicle with lights and siren pursuant to KRS 189.920.
(2) As used in KRS 189.920 to 189.950, "public safety vehicle" means public utility repair vehicle; wreckers; state, county, or municipal service vehicles and equipment; highway equipment which performs work that requires stopping and standing or moving at slow speeds within the traveled portions of highways; and vehicles which are escorting wide-load or slow-moving trailers or trucks.
Effective: June 8, 2011
History: Amended 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 17, sec. 1, effective June 8, 2011; and ch. 99, sec. 1, effective June 8, 2011. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 24, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 226, sec. 106, effective July 15, 1998; and ch. 426, sec. 124, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 233, sec. 9, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 16, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 220, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1986; and ch. 419, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1986. -- Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 1.
Legislative Research Commission Note (6/8/2011). This section was amended by 2011 Ky. Acts chs. 17 and 99, which are in conflict. Under KRS 446.250, Acts ch. 99, which was last enacted by the General Assembly, prevails.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/189-00/920.PDF
189.920 Flashing lights and sirens.
(1) All fire department, rescue squad, or publicly owned emergency management agency emergency vehicles and all ambulances shall be equipped with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating red lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle, and a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet. This equipment shall be in addition to any other equipment required by the motor vehicle laws.
(2) All state, county, or municipal police vehicles and all sheriffs' vehicles used as emergency vehicles shall be equipped with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle, and a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet. This equipment shall be in addition to any other equipment required by the motor vehicle laws.
(3) By ordinance, the governing body of any city or county may direct that the police or sheriffs' vehicles in that jurisdiction be equipped with a combination of red and blue flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights.
(4) All public safety vehicles shall be equipped with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating yellow lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle. Yellow flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights may also be used by vehicles operated by mail carriers while on duty, funeral escort vehicles, and church buses.
(5) All Department of Corrections vehicles used as emergency vehicles shall be equipped with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle. The Department of Corrections vehicles shall not be equipped with or use a siren, whistle, or bell. The equipment prescribed by this subsection shall be in addition to any other equipment required by motor vehicle laws.
(6) (a) If authorized by the legislative body of a county, urban-county, charter county, consolidated local government, or unified local government:
1. All publicly owned county jail and regional jail vehicles used as emergency vehicles may be equipped with the one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle; and
2. An elected jailer or the chief administrator of a county or regional jail not managed by an elected jailer may equip one (1) personally owned vehicle with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle.
( B) Publicly owned county jail or regional jail vehicles shall not be equipped with
or use a siren, whistle, or bell.
© The equipment prescribed by this subsection shall be in addition to any other
equipment required by the motor vehicle laws.
(7) Red flashing lights may be used by school buses.
(8) No emergency vehicle, public safety vehicle, or any other vehicle covered by KRS
189.910 to 189.950 shall use any light of any other color than those specified by
KRS 189.910 to 189.950. Sirens, whistles, and bells may not be used by vehicles
other than those specified by KRS 189.910 to 189.950, except that any vehicle may
be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be
used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal.
(9) Vehicles used as command posts at incidents may be equipped with and use when
on scene, a green rotating, oscillating, or flashing light. This light shall be in
addition to the lights and sirens required in this section.
(10) A personal vehicle used by a paid or volunteer firefighter, ambulance personnel, or
emergency services director who is responding to an emergency shall display the
lights required in subsection (1) of this section.
(11) An elected coroner may equip a publicly or privately owned motor vehicle, or both,
with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red and blue lights and a siren meeting the
requirements of this section solely for the purpose of responding to a report of the
death of a human being subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) The coroner makes a written request to the legislative body of the county,
urban-county, charter county, consolidated local government, or unified local
government in which the coroner was elected to equip a publicly or privately
owned motor vehicle, or both, with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red and
blue lights and a siren meeting the requirements of this section, and that
request is approved by the legislative body by ordinance or by court order;
( B) The coroner may use the lights and siren only while responding to the scene of
the report of a death of a human being and shall not, KRS 189.940 to the
contrary notwithstanding, exceed the posted speed limit; and
© The permission granted pursuant to this section shall expire upon the coroner
leaving office or the legislative body revoking the authorization.
(12) A deputy coroner certified pursuant to KRS Chapter 72 may equip a publicly owned
or privately owned motor vehicle, or both, with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red
and blue lights and a siren meeting the requirements of this section solely for the
purpose of responding to a report of the death of a human being, subject to the
following terms and conditions:
(a) The deputy coroner has made a written request to the coroner to equip a
publicly owned or privately owned vehicle with flashing, rotating, or
oscillating red and blue lights meeting the requirements of this section and the
coroner has approved the request in writing;
( B) The coroner makes a written request to the legislative body of the county,
urban-county, charter county, consolidated local government, or unified local
government in which the coroner is elected to permit the deputy coroner to equip a publicly owned motor vehicle or privately owned motor vehicle, or both, and that request has been approved by the legislative body by ordinance or by court order;
© The deputy coroner may use the lights and siren only while responding to the scene of the report of the death of a human being and shall not, KRS 189.940 to the contrary notwithstanding, exceed the posted speed limit; and
(d) The permission granted pursuant to this section shall expire upon the coroner leaving office or the legislative body revoking the authorization.
Effective: June 8, 2011
History: Amended 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 17, sec. 2, effective June 8, 2011; and ch. 99, sec. 2, effective June 8, 2011. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 25, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 226, sec. 107, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 17, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 419, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 55, sec. 1, effective July 13, 1984. -- Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 2.
Legislative Research Commission (6/8/2011). This section was amended by 2011 Ky. Acts chs. 17 and 99, which do not appear to be in conflict and have been codified together.
189.378 Funeral processions.
(1) "Funeral procession," as used in this section, means two (2) or more vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person when each vehicle has its headlights on or is displaying a pennant attached in such a manner as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic.
(2) A vehicle in a funeral procession has the right-of-way at an intersection and may proceed through the intersection if the procession is led by an escort vehicle displaying flashing yellow, red, or blue lights, except:
(a) When the right-of-way is required by an emergency vehicle as defined by KRS 189.910;
( B) When vehicles in the procession are directed otherwise by a police or safety officer; or
© When the vehicle is a train or locomotive.
(3) Before assuming the right-of-way, a person who drives a vehicle in a funeral procession shall exercise due caution with regard to crossing traffic.
(4) A person who drives a vehicle that is not part of a funeral procession shall not drive the vehicle between the vehicles of the funeral procession or otherwise interfere with the progress of the procession, except when:
(a) The person is authorized to do so by a police or safety officer; or
( B) The vehicle is an emergency vehicle as defined by KRS 189.910.
(5) A person who drives a vehicle that is not a part of a funeral procession shall not illuminate the vehicle headlights or engage in any other act for the purpose of securing the right-of-way granted to funeral processions.
(6) The escort vehicle, hearse, or other vehicles in a procession may be equipped with flashing amber lights for the purpose of notifying the general public of the procession and gaining the right-of-way at intersections, or signaling the end of a procession.
(7) Persons authorized to use flashing lights as defined in KRS 189.920 may use them while accompanying a funeral procession to warn traffic that a procession is approaching or that it is in progress.
(8) When a funeral procession is in progress, a person driving a vehicle not in the procession shall not pass or overtake any vehicle in the procession unless:
(a) The person is directed to do so by a police or safety officer;
( B) The procession is on a street, road, or highway outside the corporate limits of a city, town, or urban-county; or
© The procession is on an interstate highway or a state parkway.
(9) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
I will also note from personal observation some private security services using green lights. However, according to the KRS above, green is for command vehicles and to be used in addition to the command vehicle's appropriate colored lights.
Kentucky is one of a few states that now require public school buses to have white (or clear) strobes mounted on top of the bus.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/189-00/910.PDF
189.910 Definitions for KRS 189.920 to 189.950.
(1) As used in KRS 189.920 to 189.950, "emergency vehicle" means any vehicle used for emergency purposes by:
(a) The Department of Kentucky State Police;
( B) A public police department;
© The Department of Corrections;
(d) A sheriff's office;
(e) A rescue squad;
(f) An emergency management agency if it is a publicly owned vehicle;
(g) An ambulance service or medical first-response provider licensed by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, for any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or to transport a patient with a critical medical condition;
(h) Any vehicle commandeered by a police officer;
(i) Any vehicle with the emergency lights required under KRS 189.920 used by a paid or volunteer fireman or paid or volunteer ambulance personnel, or a paid or local emergency management director while responding to an emergency or to a location where an emergency vehicle is on emergency call;
(j) An elected coroner granted permission to equip a publicly or privately owned motor vehicle with lights and siren pursuant to KRS 189.920; or
(k) A deputy coroner granted permission to equip a publicly or privately owned motor vehicle with lights and siren pursuant to KRS 189.920.
(2) As used in KRS 189.920 to 189.950, "public safety vehicle" means public utility repair vehicle; wreckers; state, county, or municipal service vehicles and equipment; highway equipment which performs work that requires stopping and standing or moving at slow speeds within the traveled portions of highways; and vehicles which are escorting wide-load or slow-moving trailers or trucks.
Effective: June 8, 2011
History: Amended 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 17, sec. 1, effective June 8, 2011; and ch. 99, sec. 1, effective June 8, 2011. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 24, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 226, sec. 106, effective July 15, 1998; and ch. 426, sec. 124, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 233, sec. 9, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 16, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 220, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1986; and ch. 419, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1986. -- Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 1.
Legislative Research Commission Note (6/8/2011). This section was amended by 2011 Ky. Acts chs. 17 and 99, which are in conflict. Under KRS 446.250, Acts ch. 99, which was last enacted by the General Assembly, prevails.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/189-00/920.PDF
189.920 Flashing lights and sirens.
(1) All fire department, rescue squad, or publicly owned emergency management agency emergency vehicles and all ambulances shall be equipped with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating red lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle, and a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet. This equipment shall be in addition to any other equipment required by the motor vehicle laws.
(2) All state, county, or municipal police vehicles and all sheriffs' vehicles used as emergency vehicles shall be equipped with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle, and a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet. This equipment shall be in addition to any other equipment required by the motor vehicle laws.
(3) By ordinance, the governing body of any city or county may direct that the police or sheriffs' vehicles in that jurisdiction be equipped with a combination of red and blue flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights.
(4) All public safety vehicles shall be equipped with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating yellow lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle. Yellow flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights may also be used by vehicles operated by mail carriers while on duty, funeral escort vehicles, and church buses.
(5) All Department of Corrections vehicles used as emergency vehicles shall be equipped with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle. The Department of Corrections vehicles shall not be equipped with or use a siren, whistle, or bell. The equipment prescribed by this subsection shall be in addition to any other equipment required by motor vehicle laws.
(6) (a) If authorized by the legislative body of a county, urban-county, charter county, consolidated local government, or unified local government:
1. All publicly owned county jail and regional jail vehicles used as emergency vehicles may be equipped with the one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle; and
2. An elected jailer or the chief administrator of a county or regional jail not managed by an elected jailer may equip one (1) personally owned vehicle with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle.
( B) Publicly owned county jail or regional jail vehicles shall not be equipped with
or use a siren, whistle, or bell.
© The equipment prescribed by this subsection shall be in addition to any other
equipment required by the motor vehicle laws.
(7) Red flashing lights may be used by school buses.
(8) No emergency vehicle, public safety vehicle, or any other vehicle covered by KRS
189.910 to 189.950 shall use any light of any other color than those specified by
KRS 189.910 to 189.950. Sirens, whistles, and bells may not be used by vehicles
other than those specified by KRS 189.910 to 189.950, except that any vehicle may
be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be
used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal.
(9) Vehicles used as command posts at incidents may be equipped with and use when
on scene, a green rotating, oscillating, or flashing light. This light shall be in
addition to the lights and sirens required in this section.
(10) A personal vehicle used by a paid or volunteer firefighter, ambulance personnel, or
emergency services director who is responding to an emergency shall display the
lights required in subsection (1) of this section.
(11) An elected coroner may equip a publicly or privately owned motor vehicle, or both,
with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red and blue lights and a siren meeting the
requirements of this section solely for the purpose of responding to a report of the
death of a human being subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) The coroner makes a written request to the legislative body of the county,
urban-county, charter county, consolidated local government, or unified local
government in which the coroner was elected to equip a publicly or privately
owned motor vehicle, or both, with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red and
blue lights and a siren meeting the requirements of this section, and that
request is approved by the legislative body by ordinance or by court order;
( B) The coroner may use the lights and siren only while responding to the scene of
the report of a death of a human being and shall not, KRS 189.940 to the
contrary notwithstanding, exceed the posted speed limit; and
© The permission granted pursuant to this section shall expire upon the coroner
leaving office or the legislative body revoking the authorization.
(12) A deputy coroner certified pursuant to KRS Chapter 72 may equip a publicly owned
or privately owned motor vehicle, or both, with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red
and blue lights and a siren meeting the requirements of this section solely for the
purpose of responding to a report of the death of a human being, subject to the
following terms and conditions:
(a) The deputy coroner has made a written request to the coroner to equip a
publicly owned or privately owned vehicle with flashing, rotating, or
oscillating red and blue lights meeting the requirements of this section and the
coroner has approved the request in writing;
( B) The coroner makes a written request to the legislative body of the county,
urban-county, charter county, consolidated local government, or unified local
government in which the coroner is elected to permit the deputy coroner to equip a publicly owned motor vehicle or privately owned motor vehicle, or both, and that request has been approved by the legislative body by ordinance or by court order;
© The deputy coroner may use the lights and siren only while responding to the scene of the report of the death of a human being and shall not, KRS 189.940 to the contrary notwithstanding, exceed the posted speed limit; and
(d) The permission granted pursuant to this section shall expire upon the coroner leaving office or the legislative body revoking the authorization.
Effective: June 8, 2011
History: Amended 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 17, sec. 2, effective June 8, 2011; and ch. 99, sec. 2, effective June 8, 2011. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 25, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 226, sec. 107, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 17, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 419, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 55, sec. 1, effective July 13, 1984. -- Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 2.
Legislative Research Commission (6/8/2011). This section was amended by 2011 Ky. Acts chs. 17 and 99, which do not appear to be in conflict and have been codified together.
189.378 Funeral processions.
(1) "Funeral procession," as used in this section, means two (2) or more vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person when each vehicle has its headlights on or is displaying a pennant attached in such a manner as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic.
(2) A vehicle in a funeral procession has the right-of-way at an intersection and may proceed through the intersection if the procession is led by an escort vehicle displaying flashing yellow, red, or blue lights, except:
(a) When the right-of-way is required by an emergency vehicle as defined by KRS 189.910;
( B) When vehicles in the procession are directed otherwise by a police or safety officer; or
© When the vehicle is a train or locomotive.
(3) Before assuming the right-of-way, a person who drives a vehicle in a funeral procession shall exercise due caution with regard to crossing traffic.
(4) A person who drives a vehicle that is not part of a funeral procession shall not drive the vehicle between the vehicles of the funeral procession or otherwise interfere with the progress of the procession, except when:
(a) The person is authorized to do so by a police or safety officer; or
( B) The vehicle is an emergency vehicle as defined by KRS 189.910.
(5) A person who drives a vehicle that is not a part of a funeral procession shall not illuminate the vehicle headlights or engage in any other act for the purpose of securing the right-of-way granted to funeral processions.
(6) The escort vehicle, hearse, or other vehicles in a procession may be equipped with flashing amber lights for the purpose of notifying the general public of the procession and gaining the right-of-way at intersections, or signaling the end of a procession.
(7) Persons authorized to use flashing lights as defined in KRS 189.920 may use them while accompanying a funeral procession to warn traffic that a procession is approaching or that it is in progress.
(8) When a funeral procession is in progress, a person driving a vehicle not in the procession shall not pass or overtake any vehicle in the procession unless:
(a) The person is directed to do so by a police or safety officer;
( B) The procession is on a street, road, or highway outside the corporate limits of a city, town, or urban-county; or
© The procession is on an interstate highway or a state parkway.
(9) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
I will also note from personal observation some private security services using green lights. However, according to the KRS above, green is for command vehicles and to be used in addition to the command vehicle's appropriate colored lights.
Kentucky is one of a few states that now require public school buses to have white (or clear) strobes mounted on top of the bus.
Last edited by a moderator:
ejwa
Member
EMFDKottwitz said:
Wouldn't the same rule apply to vehicles that have been restored or for show cars? You see fully restored, privately owned fire trucks as late from the 1980s (trucks that old and older are still on active duty in many rural departments) driving up and down the highways with full lighting systems but they have a sign attached or even painted on the fender, "OUT OF SERVICE." The same for restored and older police cars.
firefighter7017
Member
§ 20‑130.1. Use of red or blue lights on vehicles prohibited; exceptions.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to install or activate or operate a red light in or on any vehicle in this State. As used in this subsection, unless the context requires otherwise, "red light" means an operable red light not sealed in the manufacturer's original package which: (i) is designed for use by an emergency vehicle or is similar in appearance to a red light designed for use by an emergency vehicle; and (ii) can be operated by use of the vehicle's battery, vehicle's electrical system, or a dry cell battery. As used in this subsection, the term "red light" shall also mean any forward facing red light installed on a vehicle after initial manufacture of the vehicle.
( B) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section do not apply to the following:
(1) A police car;
(2) A highway patrol car;
(3) A vehicle owned by the Wildlife Resources Commission and operated exclusively for law‑enforcement purposes;
(4) An ambulance;
(5) A vehicle used by an organ procurement organization or agency for the recovery and transportation of blood, human tissues, or organs for transplantation;
(6) A fire‑fighting vehicle;
(7) A school bus;
(8) A vehicle operated by any member of a municipal or rural fire department in the performance of his duties, regardless of whether members of that fire department are paid or voluntary;
(9) A vehicle of a voluntary lifesaving organization (including the private vehicles of the members of such an organization) that has been officially approved by the local police authorities and which is manned or operated by members of that organization while answering an official call;
(10) A vehicle operated by medical doctors or anesthetists in emergencies;
(11) A motor vehicle used in law enforcement by the sheriff, or any salaried rural policeman in any county, regardless of whether or not the county owns the vehicle;
(11a) A vehicle operated by the State Fire Marshal or his representatives in the performance of their duties, whether or not the State owns the vehicle;
(12) A vehicle operated by any county fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or emergency management coordinator in the performance of his duties, regardless of whether or not the county owns the vehicle;
(13) A light required by the Federal Highway Administration;
(14) A vehicle operated by a transplant coordinator who is an employee of an organ procurement organization or agency when the transplant coordinator is responding to a call to recover or transport human tissues or organs for transplantation;
(15) A vehicle operated by an emergency medical service as an emergency support vehicle;
(16) A State emergency management vehicle; and
(17) An Incident Management Assistance Patrol vehicle operated by the Department of Transportation, when using rear‑facing red lights while stopped for the purpose of providing assistance or incident management.
© It is unlawful for any person to possess a blue light or to install, activate, or operate a blue light in or on any vehicle in this State, except for a publicly owned vehicle used for law enforcement purposes or any other vehicle when used by law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties. As used in this subsection, unless the context requires otherwise, "blue light" means any forward facing blue light installed on a vehicle after initial manufacture of the vehicle; or an operable blue light which:
(1) Is not (i) being installed on, held in inventory for the purpose of being installed on, or held in inventory for the purpose of sale for installation on a vehicle on which it may be lawfully operated or (ii) installed on a vehicle which is used solely for the purpose of demonstrating the blue light for sale to law enforcement personnel;
(1a) Is designed for use by an emergency vehicle, or is similar in appearance to a blue light designed for use by an emergency vehicle; and
(2) Can be operated by use of the vehicle's battery, the vehicle's electrical system, or a dry cell battery.
(c1) The provisions of subsection © of this section do not apply to the possession and installation of an inoperable blue light on a vehicle that is inspected by and registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles as a specially constructed vehicle and that is used primarily for participation in shows, exhibitions, parades, or holiday/weekend activities, and not for general daily transportation. For purposes of this subsection, "inoperable blue light" means a blue‑colored lamp housing or cover that does not contain a lamp or other mechanism having the ability to produce or emit illumination.
(d) Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑249, s. 1.
(e) Violation of subsection (a) or © of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1943, c. 726; 1947, c. 1032; 1953, c. 354; 1955, c. 528; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1959, c. 166, s. 2; c. 1170, s. 2; 1967, c. 651, s. 1; 1971, c. 1214; 1977, c. 52, s. 2; c. 438, s. 2; 1979, c. 653, s. 1; c. 887; 1983, c. 32, s. 1; c. 768, s. 6; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1027, s. 50; 1989, c. 537, s. 2; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1020, s. 2; 1991, c. 263, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 361; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14©; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 719, s. 1; 1995, c. 168, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 756, s. 16; 1999‑249, s. 1; 2005‑152, s. 1; 2009‑526, s. 1; 2009‑550, s. 3; 2010‑132, s. 11.)
§ 20‑130.2. Use of amber lights on certain vehicles.
All wreckers operated on the highways of the State shall be equipped with an amber‑colored flashing light which shall be so mounted and located as to be clearly visible in all directions from a distance of 500 feet, which light shall be activated when at the scene of an accident or recovery operation and when towing a vehicle which has a total outside width exceeding 96 inches or which exceeds the width of the towing vehicle. It shall be lawful to equip any other vehicle with a similar warning light including, but not by way of limitation, maintenance or construction vehicles or equipment of the Department of Transportation engaged in performing maintenance or construction work on the roads, maintenance or construction vehicles of any person, firm or corporation, Radio Emergency Associated Citizens Team (REACT) vehicles, and any other vehicles required to contain a warning light. (1967, c. 651, s. 2; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 34; 1979, c. 1; c. 765; 1981, c. 390; 1991, c. 44, s. 1.)
§ 20‑130.3. Use of white or clear lights on rear of vehicles prohibited; exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully drive a motor vehicle in forward motion upon the highways of this State displaying white or clear lights on the rear of said vehicle. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the white light required by G.S. 20‑129(d) or so‑called backup lights lighted only when said vehicle is in reverse gear or backing. Violation of this section does not constitute negligence per se in any civil action. (1973, c. 1071.)
It is routinely stated that Wig-wags/modulated headlights are illegal in the state of North Carolina. This is the only documentation that I can find pertaining to modulated headlights, and while it does not specifically prohibit it, it does not say you can have them either. I'm not a law student, so draw your own conclusions or consult a lawyer.
§ 20‑130. Additional permissible light on vehicle.
(d) Electronically Modulated Headlamps. – Nothing contained in this Chapter shall prohibit the use of electronically modulated headlamps on motorcycles, law‑enforcement and fire department vehicles, county fire marshals and Emergency Management coordinators, public and private ambulances, and rescue squad emergency service vehicles, provided such headlamps and light modulator are of a type or kind which have been approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to install or activate or operate a red light in or on any vehicle in this State. As used in this subsection, unless the context requires otherwise, "red light" means an operable red light not sealed in the manufacturer's original package which: (i) is designed for use by an emergency vehicle or is similar in appearance to a red light designed for use by an emergency vehicle; and (ii) can be operated by use of the vehicle's battery, vehicle's electrical system, or a dry cell battery. As used in this subsection, the term "red light" shall also mean any forward facing red light installed on a vehicle after initial manufacture of the vehicle.
( B) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section do not apply to the following:
(1) A police car;
(2) A highway patrol car;
(3) A vehicle owned by the Wildlife Resources Commission and operated exclusively for law‑enforcement purposes;
(4) An ambulance;
(5) A vehicle used by an organ procurement organization or agency for the recovery and transportation of blood, human tissues, or organs for transplantation;
(6) A fire‑fighting vehicle;
(7) A school bus;
(8) A vehicle operated by any member of a municipal or rural fire department in the performance of his duties, regardless of whether members of that fire department are paid or voluntary;
(9) A vehicle of a voluntary lifesaving organization (including the private vehicles of the members of such an organization) that has been officially approved by the local police authorities and which is manned or operated by members of that organization while answering an official call;
(10) A vehicle operated by medical doctors or anesthetists in emergencies;
(11) A motor vehicle used in law enforcement by the sheriff, or any salaried rural policeman in any county, regardless of whether or not the county owns the vehicle;
(11a) A vehicle operated by the State Fire Marshal or his representatives in the performance of their duties, whether or not the State owns the vehicle;
(12) A vehicle operated by any county fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or emergency management coordinator in the performance of his duties, regardless of whether or not the county owns the vehicle;
(13) A light required by the Federal Highway Administration;
(14) A vehicle operated by a transplant coordinator who is an employee of an organ procurement organization or agency when the transplant coordinator is responding to a call to recover or transport human tissues or organs for transplantation;
(15) A vehicle operated by an emergency medical service as an emergency support vehicle;
(16) A State emergency management vehicle; and
(17) An Incident Management Assistance Patrol vehicle operated by the Department of Transportation, when using rear‑facing red lights while stopped for the purpose of providing assistance or incident management.
© It is unlawful for any person to possess a blue light or to install, activate, or operate a blue light in or on any vehicle in this State, except for a publicly owned vehicle used for law enforcement purposes or any other vehicle when used by law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties. As used in this subsection, unless the context requires otherwise, "blue light" means any forward facing blue light installed on a vehicle after initial manufacture of the vehicle; or an operable blue light which:
(1) Is not (i) being installed on, held in inventory for the purpose of being installed on, or held in inventory for the purpose of sale for installation on a vehicle on which it may be lawfully operated or (ii) installed on a vehicle which is used solely for the purpose of demonstrating the blue light for sale to law enforcement personnel;
(1a) Is designed for use by an emergency vehicle, or is similar in appearance to a blue light designed for use by an emergency vehicle; and
(2) Can be operated by use of the vehicle's battery, the vehicle's electrical system, or a dry cell battery.
(c1) The provisions of subsection © of this section do not apply to the possession and installation of an inoperable blue light on a vehicle that is inspected by and registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles as a specially constructed vehicle and that is used primarily for participation in shows, exhibitions, parades, or holiday/weekend activities, and not for general daily transportation. For purposes of this subsection, "inoperable blue light" means a blue‑colored lamp housing or cover that does not contain a lamp or other mechanism having the ability to produce or emit illumination.
(d) Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑249, s. 1.
(e) Violation of subsection (a) or © of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1943, c. 726; 1947, c. 1032; 1953, c. 354; 1955, c. 528; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1959, c. 166, s. 2; c. 1170, s. 2; 1967, c. 651, s. 1; 1971, c. 1214; 1977, c. 52, s. 2; c. 438, s. 2; 1979, c. 653, s. 1; c. 887; 1983, c. 32, s. 1; c. 768, s. 6; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1027, s. 50; 1989, c. 537, s. 2; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1020, s. 2; 1991, c. 263, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 361; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14©; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 719, s. 1; 1995, c. 168, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 756, s. 16; 1999‑249, s. 1; 2005‑152, s. 1; 2009‑526, s. 1; 2009‑550, s. 3; 2010‑132, s. 11.)
§ 20‑130.2. Use of amber lights on certain vehicles.
All wreckers operated on the highways of the State shall be equipped with an amber‑colored flashing light which shall be so mounted and located as to be clearly visible in all directions from a distance of 500 feet, which light shall be activated when at the scene of an accident or recovery operation and when towing a vehicle which has a total outside width exceeding 96 inches or which exceeds the width of the towing vehicle. It shall be lawful to equip any other vehicle with a similar warning light including, but not by way of limitation, maintenance or construction vehicles or equipment of the Department of Transportation engaged in performing maintenance or construction work on the roads, maintenance or construction vehicles of any person, firm or corporation, Radio Emergency Associated Citizens Team (REACT) vehicles, and any other vehicles required to contain a warning light. (1967, c. 651, s. 2; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 34; 1979, c. 1; c. 765; 1981, c. 390; 1991, c. 44, s. 1.)
§ 20‑130.3. Use of white or clear lights on rear of vehicles prohibited; exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully drive a motor vehicle in forward motion upon the highways of this State displaying white or clear lights on the rear of said vehicle. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the white light required by G.S. 20‑129(d) or so‑called backup lights lighted only when said vehicle is in reverse gear or backing. Violation of this section does not constitute negligence per se in any civil action. (1973, c. 1071.)
It is routinely stated that Wig-wags/modulated headlights are illegal in the state of North Carolina. This is the only documentation that I can find pertaining to modulated headlights, and while it does not specifically prohibit it, it does not say you can have them either. I'm not a law student, so draw your own conclusions or consult a lawyer.
§ 20‑130. Additional permissible light on vehicle.
(d) Electronically Modulated Headlamps. – Nothing contained in this Chapter shall prohibit the use of electronically modulated headlamps on motorcycles, law‑enforcement and fire department vehicles, county fire marshals and Emergency Management coordinators, public and private ambulances, and rescue squad emergency service vehicles, provided such headlamps and light modulator are of a type or kind which have been approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
dustymedic
Member
That's interesting, because I see construction vehicles with clear & amber 360 strobes all the time in NC...
ejwa
Member
dustymedic said:
I have noticed in KY, the state is breaking its own law. The new LED light bars that the Department of Highways are usung now has red LEDs as well as amber LEDs facing the rear. According to the law, road crew vehicles are only allowed amber warning lights, red is restricted to emergency vehicles only.
firefighter7017
Member
dustymedic said:
Not only this, but most NC SHP slicktop vehicles, along with other police agencies as well, have rear facing white. Most of the slicktop Chargers in my area have two dual avengers on the rear deck, one blue/amber and one blue/white. Amusing when a state agency breaks it's own rules isn't it?
Phoenix_Rising
Lifetime VIP Donor
Jennifer Rose Towing
Member
Minnesota
Red= any emergency rig, Wreckers, Funeral escort, any veh with limitations.
Blue= any emergency rig, Government plows, MNDOT and city utility rigs.
Amber= any but with specifics as to placement and quantity. No limitations on wreckers
Green= command veh
Purple=unknown/unused
169.59 Subd. 4.Flashing warning light.Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing, and when so equipped may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this section or section 169.50, subdivision 1 or 3; 169.56, subdivision 1, 2, 3, or 4; 169.57, subdivision 1; or 169.64, subdivision 3. The lamps used to display such warnings to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall display simultaneous flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warnings to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. Instead of a pair of lamps that flash simultaneously, either one or two strobe lights or rotating beacon lights with an amber or yellow lens may be used both to the front and rear of the vehicle. These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
On an off topic note,
Increased speed limit when passing.Notwithstanding subdivision 2, the speed limit is increased by ten miles per hour over the posted speed limit when the driver:
(1) is on a two-lane highway having one lane for each direction of travel;
(2) is on a highway with a posted speed limit that is equal to or higher than 55 miles per hour;
(3) is overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction of travel; and
(4) meets the requirements in section 169.18.
Red= any emergency rig, Wreckers, Funeral escort, any veh with limitations.
Blue= any emergency rig, Government plows, MNDOT and city utility rigs.
Amber= any but with specifics as to placement and quantity. No limitations on wreckers
Green= command veh
Purple=unknown/unused
169.59 Subd. 4.Flashing warning light.Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing, and when so equipped may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this section or section 169.50, subdivision 1 or 3; 169.56, subdivision 1, 2, 3, or 4; 169.57, subdivision 1; or 169.64, subdivision 3. The lamps used to display such warnings to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall display simultaneous flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warnings to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. Instead of a pair of lamps that flash simultaneously, either one or two strobe lights or rotating beacon lights with an amber or yellow lens may be used both to the front and rear of the vehicle. These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
On an off topic note,
Increased speed limit when passing.Notwithstanding subdivision 2, the speed limit is increased by ten miles per hour over the posted speed limit when the driver:
(1) is on a two-lane highway having one lane for each direction of travel;
(2) is on a highway with a posted speed limit that is equal to or higher than 55 miles per hour;
(3) is overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction of travel; and
(4) meets the requirements in section 169.18.
The simple version:
Red is the basic emergency light- every (non-police) emergency vehicle must display a flashing red light. They may also choose to display blue and white flashing lights in combination with red. Kansas law does not differentiate colors between types of emergency services (e.g. fire trucks, ambulance etc) and allows volunteer firefighters, EMS, reserve law enforcement etc. to receive a permit from their county commission to operate their personal vehicles as a fully authorized emergency vehicle.
By law, police vehicles are actually only required to be equipped with a siren- no warning lights (they are optional in the statute below).
Tow trucks are permitted to display amber flashing lights or be designated as emergency vehicles to display flashing red/blue/white lights.
The primary emergency vehicle warning light law is extremely outdated (every patrol car would look like the old "Car 54" per the law) and has some errors in it. For example, it technically only permits the blue and white colors when used in "rotating or oscilating" lights!
In addition to emergency vehicles, white flashing lights are also allowed on top of school buses. Flashing headlamps are authorized on emergency vehicles, school buses and vehicles leading funeral processions.
Ambers altermately flashing lights are permitted to the rear of police vehicles. However, in practice they are widely used on all emergency vehicles. Additionally, amber flashing lights are required to be displayed on highway maintenance, construction, utility and oversize vehicles while on any highway (and Kansas classifies any publicly owned roadway as a highway, so alley= highway.)
Nothing in law permits any other color lights to be used on vehicles in Kansas (green, purple etc)
For those of you who like to read it for yourself:
Here is the blanket law that prohibits flashing lights except as specifically authorized in statute:
KSA 8-1729
© Flashing lights are prohibited except as authorized
or required in K.S.A. 8-1717, 8-1720, 8-1721, 8-1722, 8-1723,
8-1730, 8-1730a and 8-1731, and amendments thereto.
(d) The flashing lights described in K.S.A. 8-1720, 8-1730
and 8-1730a, and amendments thereto, shall not be used on any
vehicle other than a school bus, church bus or day care program
bus, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1730a, and amendments thereto, or
an authorized emergency vehicle.
Here is the law pertaining to emergency vehicle lighting (notice police vehicles technically do not have to display any warning lights!)
KSA 8-1720
(a) Except as provided in subsection ( B) , every authorized
emergency vehicle, in addition to any other equipment required
by this act, shall be equipped with signal lamps mounted as
high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which shall
be capable of displaying to the front two alternately flashing red
lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately
flashing red lights located at the same level, or in lieu thereof,
any such authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with
at least one rotating or oscillating light, which shall be mounted
as high as practicable on such vehicle and which shall display
to the front and rear of such vehicle a flashing red light or
alternate flashes of red and white lights or red and blue lights in
combination. All lights required or authorized by this subsection
shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal
sunlight. Every authorized emergency vehicle may, but need
not, be equipped with head lamps which alternately flash or
simultaneously flash.
( B) A police vehicle when used as an authorized emergency
vehicle may, but need not, be equipped with:
(1) Head lamps which alternately flash or simultaneously
flash;
(2) flashing lights specified in subsection (a), but any
flashing lights, used on a police vehicle, other than the flashing
lrotating or oscillating lights or alternately flashing head lamps
or simultaneously flashing head lamps, shall be red in color; or
(3) rotating or oscillating lights, which may display a
flashing red light or alternate flashes of red and blue lights in
combination. (effective 7-1-05)ights specified in K.S.A. 8-1722,
and amendments thereto,
The statute that officially only permits "alternating" amber lights on the back of police vehicles- not any other emergency vehicles (notice amber wasn't even mentioned in 8-1720).
KSA 8-1722
(d) Any police vehicle, when used as an authorized
emergency vehicle, may be equipped with warning lamps
mounted as widely spaced laterally as practicable, either inside
such vehicle in front of the rear window or on the roof of such
vehicle, and capable of displaying two alternately flashing amber
lights to the rear of such vehicle. Such warning lamps may be
used in lieu of or in combination with any other vehicular hazard
warning signal lamps used to display such warning to the rear,
and shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet in
normal sunlight.
Red is the basic emergency light- every (non-police) emergency vehicle must display a flashing red light. They may also choose to display blue and white flashing lights in combination with red. Kansas law does not differentiate colors between types of emergency services (e.g. fire trucks, ambulance etc) and allows volunteer firefighters, EMS, reserve law enforcement etc. to receive a permit from their county commission to operate their personal vehicles as a fully authorized emergency vehicle.
By law, police vehicles are actually only required to be equipped with a siren- no warning lights (they are optional in the statute below).
Tow trucks are permitted to display amber flashing lights or be designated as emergency vehicles to display flashing red/blue/white lights.
The primary emergency vehicle warning light law is extremely outdated (every patrol car would look like the old "Car 54" per the law) and has some errors in it. For example, it technically only permits the blue and white colors when used in "rotating or oscilating" lights!
In addition to emergency vehicles, white flashing lights are also allowed on top of school buses. Flashing headlamps are authorized on emergency vehicles, school buses and vehicles leading funeral processions.
Ambers altermately flashing lights are permitted to the rear of police vehicles. However, in practice they are widely used on all emergency vehicles. Additionally, amber flashing lights are required to be displayed on highway maintenance, construction, utility and oversize vehicles while on any highway (and Kansas classifies any publicly owned roadway as a highway, so alley= highway.)
Nothing in law permits any other color lights to be used on vehicles in Kansas (green, purple etc)
For those of you who like to read it for yourself:
Here is the blanket law that prohibits flashing lights except as specifically authorized in statute:
KSA 8-1729
© Flashing lights are prohibited except as authorized
or required in K.S.A. 8-1717, 8-1720, 8-1721, 8-1722, 8-1723,
8-1730, 8-1730a and 8-1731, and amendments thereto.
(d) The flashing lights described in K.S.A. 8-1720, 8-1730
and 8-1730a, and amendments thereto, shall not be used on any
vehicle other than a school bus, church bus or day care program
bus, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1730a, and amendments thereto, or
an authorized emergency vehicle.
Here is the law pertaining to emergency vehicle lighting (notice police vehicles technically do not have to display any warning lights!)
KSA 8-1720
(a) Except as provided in subsection ( B) , every authorized
emergency vehicle, in addition to any other equipment required
by this act, shall be equipped with signal lamps mounted as
high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which shall
be capable of displaying to the front two alternately flashing red
lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately
flashing red lights located at the same level, or in lieu thereof,
any such authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with
at least one rotating or oscillating light, which shall be mounted
as high as practicable on such vehicle and which shall display
to the front and rear of such vehicle a flashing red light or
alternate flashes of red and white lights or red and blue lights in
combination. All lights required or authorized by this subsection
shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal
sunlight. Every authorized emergency vehicle may, but need
not, be equipped with head lamps which alternately flash or
simultaneously flash.
( B) A police vehicle when used as an authorized emergency
vehicle may, but need not, be equipped with:
(1) Head lamps which alternately flash or simultaneously
flash;
(2) flashing lights specified in subsection (a), but any
flashing lights, used on a police vehicle, other than the flashing
lrotating or oscillating lights or alternately flashing head lamps
or simultaneously flashing head lamps, shall be red in color; or
(3) rotating or oscillating lights, which may display a
flashing red light or alternate flashes of red and blue lights in
combination. (effective 7-1-05)ights specified in K.S.A. 8-1722,
and amendments thereto,
The statute that officially only permits "alternating" amber lights on the back of police vehicles- not any other emergency vehicles (notice amber wasn't even mentioned in 8-1720).
KSA 8-1722
(d) Any police vehicle, when used as an authorized
emergency vehicle, may be equipped with warning lamps
mounted as widely spaced laterally as practicable, either inside
such vehicle in front of the rear window or on the roof of such
vehicle, and capable of displaying two alternately flashing amber
lights to the rear of such vehicle. Such warning lamps may be
used in lieu of or in combination with any other vehicular hazard
warning signal lamps used to display such warning to the rear,
and shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet in
normal sunlight.
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NRS 484D.180 Spot lamps, auxiliary lamps and lamps for fog.
1. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will strike the windshield, or any windows, mirror or occupant of a vehicle in use.
NRS 484D.205 Additional equipment for lighting.
1. “ “
2. ” “
3. ” “
4. ” “
5. Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the drivers of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing, and when so equipped may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this chapter. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. Whenever a vehicle has been equipped with such lamps they shall be kept in good operating condition. These warning lamps shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet in normal sunlight.
NRS 484B.917 Police officer to remove and destroy lights and sirens unlawfully installed or operated.
A police officer shall remove and destroy, or cause to be removed and destroyed, all red, blue or amber lights and all sirens unlawfully installed or operated.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 1266; A 1985, 1041)— (Substituted in revision for NRS 484.493)
1. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will strike the windshield, or any windows, mirror or occupant of a vehicle in use.
NRS 484D.205 Additional equipment for lighting.
1. “ “
2. ” “
3. ” “
4. ” “
5. Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the drivers of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing, and when so equipped may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this chapter. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. Whenever a vehicle has been equipped with such lamps they shall be kept in good operating condition. These warning lamps shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet in normal sunlight.
NRS 484B.917 Police officer to remove and destroy lights and sirens unlawfully installed or operated.
A police officer shall remove and destroy, or cause to be removed and destroyed, all red, blue or amber lights and all sirens unlawfully installed or operated.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 1266; A 1985, 1041)— (Substituted in revision for NRS 484.493)
Barney style breakdown:
Sirens: Emergency vehicles only.
Somewhat unclear as to VFD use, in the law "Blue-lighters" are in the same section as Authorized Emergency Vehicles. However, Blue light operation does not specifically state yes or no about sirens. Practical experience across the state is that anyone authorized a blue light is administratively denied siren use by their department and/or the fire commissioner and/or state emergency commissioner.
Red, Red/White, Red/White/Blue, Red/Blue: Emergency Vehicle only, Just get there safe. All road laws generally go out the window other than get there safe and with due regard for others on the road, actual vehicle operation restrictions/allowances vary according to departmental apparatus SOP's.
Blue only: PD/FD/EMT with authorization from their command and/or the state commissioner of emergency services. Must have placard/plate showing what organization you belong to displayed somewhere.
Vehicle operation when responding with blue light: Stopsigns are still stopsigns, Traffic lights are stopsigns if red (continue if ROW is yielded), speeding allowed on your side of the road, if you have to take the oncoming lane or otherwise drive contrary to what the normal flow of traffic is you MUST go below the speed limit.
Practical experience:
Some departments are discontinuing blue light use due to the combination of:
people not yielding to just a blue light without a siren
idiots in departments driving as such
maintenance requirements of multiple issued lightbars
administrative overhead (paperwork locally for property tracking, paperwork for departmental certification via commissioner's administration, and paperwork required by law to the state.
For firefighters there is an additional element that is required. Your department has to apply to the Fire commissioner for department authorization for blue lights as well as submit everyone who signs up for blue lights to the commissioner. As per the Fire commissioner, it's department issued lights ONLY.
What this means, is that IF your department actually does let you use blue lights, you will have a big halogen lightbar on the top of whatever you drive. Hope you drive a fullsize truck. LOL.
The advantages to department issued lighting only is that if you drive like a retard and/or get kicked off/leave the department, your lighting is returned to the department and you don't have a "whacker" tooling around with a light system afterwards.
Some FF's have lighting on their vehicles regardless, for safety if first-responding to a scene they come up on. Come up on accident, stop, turn lights on. State regulations allow you to be stopped and have all sorts of lights going, and most go so far as to incorporate a reverse "park kill" for their lighting just so it can be shown that they can't "respond" with the lighting. Grey area, chain of command for my FD (which doesn't issue lights anymore) basically doesn't care since it's on you as a private citizen if you're a retard.
Amber/Blue: State DOT or otherwise construction-related vehicles.
Amber: General warning light. Plow trucks specifically are required to operate a 360 visible amber warning (no stipulation on single or multiple lights, a single halogen rotator or strobe works) while actually plowing. Needs to be off when not plowing, you will get ticketed if you run from site to site with it on, in a plow truck. Heavy equipment gets away without needing to turn the strobe off.
Any other color has no specific connotations to it.
Official Regulations:
General Operation of Vehicles:
13 AAC 02.517. Authorized and other emergency vehicles
(a) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of a statute, regulation or ordinance, when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, or in the performance of his official duties may disregard a statute, regulation or ordinance governing the operation, stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle, except as provided in this section.
( B) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency must use an audible signal meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.210(d) and visual signals meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.090, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not display a red light visible from in front of the vehicle and except as provided in © of this section.
© A driver of an authorized emergency vehicle which is parked, stopped or standing in disregard of a regulation or ordinance prohibiting the parking, stopping or standing may not use an audible signal.
(d) The driver of an off-highway vehicle may operate the vehicle upon a highway or railroad right-of-way when the vehicle is serving as an authorized emergency vehicle.
(e) A person driving a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.100 when responding to, but not upon returning from, an emergency, may, if not otherwise prohibited by a municipality, without undue danger to the safety of other persons or property
(1) park or stand the vehicle in violation of a traffic regulation or ordinance or near the scene of the fire to which he responded;
(2) except as provided in (f) of this section, exceed the maximum speed limit if he does not unreasonably endanger life or property, slows at each intersection, and exercises care under the circumstances; and
(3) disregard regulations or ordinances governing direction, movement or turning in a specified direction if he does so at a speed less than the maximum speed limit for that location.
(f) The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light from the duty to drive with regard for the safety of all persons, nor do the provisions of this section allow the driver of a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light to proceed past a stop sign or red signal without first stopping.
(g) When the commissioner or the commissioner's designee authorizes a person's motor vehicle to be equipped with a flashing blue light meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.100, the authorization must be in writing, and must be carried at all times in the vehicle. Failure to carry the authorization does not affect the status of the vehicle as an emergency vehicle. An authorization issued under this section is valid for five years from date of issue. An authorization issued under this section is void if the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled, or if the person's vehicle no longer meets the equipment standards set out in 13 AAC 04. A person must return the document granting authorization to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, if the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled or if the person's vehicle no longer meets the equipment standards set out in 13 AAC 04.
13 AAC 02.140. Driving a vehicle on approach of authorized emergency vehicles
(a) Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of a visual signal meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.090 and audible signals meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.210(d) , or a police vehicle making use of either a visual or an audible signal, the driver of every vehicle proceeding in any direction shall yield the right-of-way by slowing and pulling to the right hand edge of the roadway, clear of an intersection and stopping, to await passage of the emergency vehicle.
( B) Except for a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle responding to an emergency, a driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way as provided in (a) of this section to a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light as prescribed in 13 AAC 04.100. The vehicle displaying a flashing blue light shall yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle which is responding to an emergency.
© The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light from the duty to drive with regard for the safety of all persons using the highways.
Sirens:
13 AAC 04.210. Horns and warning devices
(a) A motor vehicle operated upon a highway or other vehicular way or area, except for snowmobiles, must be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of at least 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device may emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but may not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway or other vehicular way or area.
( B) No vehicle may be equipped with, nor may a person use, a siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
© A vehicle may be equipped with a theft alarm signal device, which is installed so that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal. A theft alarm signal device may use a whistle, bell, horn or other audible signal, but may not use a siren.
(d) Every authorized emergency vehicle must be equipped with a siren, whistle or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of at least 500 feet; the siren may be used only when the emergency vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or is in the immediate pursuit of a suspected violator of the law. The driver of the emergency vehicle shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of its approach.
Lights:
13 AAC 04.090. Authorized emergency vehicles
(a) Every authorized emergency vehicle must, in addition to other equipment required by this chapter, be equipped with a signal light mounted as high as practicable, and which is capable of displaying to the front and rear flashing red color of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. The flashing light must be sufficiently spaced from the headlights so that it will not be blacked out when the headlights are illuminated. An authorized emergency vehicle may display rotating beams of red light or of red and white light meeting the requirements of this subsection.
( B) Repealed 6/28/79.
© A police vehicle, when used as an authorized emergency vehicle, may but need not be equipped with alternately flashing red lights as specified in (a) of this section.
(d) Repealed 6/28/79.
(e) Repealed 6/28/79.
(f) Repealed 6/28/79.
(g) If, in addition to the light required in (a) of this section, a second or subsequent light is mounted on the authorized emergency vehicle, the light must be mounted as high as practicable and at the same level as the first light. The lights must be as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and must meet the spacing and visibility requirements of (a) of this section. The second light may display flashing blue color in accordance with sec. 100 of this chapter.
13 AAC 04.100. Flashing blue lights on vehicles
(a) A firefighter, an emergency medical service responder, or a police officer, with the concurrence of the chief of that person's department, when authorized under 13 AAC 02.517 or (i) of this section, may equip the person's motor vehicle with a flashing blue light that must be visible from the front and sides for a distance of 300 feet in normal sunlight. The flashing blue light authorized by this subsection may be illuminated only when the driver of the vehicle is a member of a fire or a police department responding to an emergency, and the vehicle must display a sign or plate that indicates the department membership and the name of the municipality or organization in which the driver is a member.
( B) Repealed 6/28/79.
© Repealed 6/28/79.
(d) Repealed 6/28/79.
(e) Police and public fire vehicles may not use a flashing blue light except simultaneously with a flashing red light as required in sec. 90 of this chapter.
(f) Vehicles, except those vehicles described in (e) of this section, that are owned or operated by the state or a municipality may not use a flashing blue light except simultaneously with a flashing yellow light and in accordance with 13 AAC 04.095.
(g) A person certified by a state agency to render emergency lifesaving or medical services, when authorized by the commissioner, may equip his private vehicle with a flashing blue light meeting the visibility requirements of (a) of this section, for use only when responding to an emergency. The flashing blue light may not be illuminated except when the driver of the vehicle is properly certified to render emergency lifesaving or medical services and his vehicle displays the "star of life" symbol.
(h) Lights displaying blue color may not be used upon vehicles, except as provided in this section.
(i) A fire chief, an emergency medical service provider, or a police chief of a municipality or borough that has been granted authority in writing by the commissioner may authorize a person to equip the person's motor vehicle with a flashing blue light if
(1) the person completes and returns to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee on a signed and notarized form prepared by the department a certification that
(A) the person's motor vehicle complies with the equipment standards set out in 13 AAC 04;
( B) the person holds a valid Alaska driver's license that has not been suspended, revoked, cancelled, or limited within the three years before the form is returned; and
© the person has read and understands the regulations for emergency vehicle operation set out in 13 AAC 02.140, 13 AAC 02.517 and 13 AAC 04.100; and
(2) if requested by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, the person provides a certified copy of the person's driving record.
Sirens: Emergency vehicles only.
Somewhat unclear as to VFD use, in the law "Blue-lighters" are in the same section as Authorized Emergency Vehicles. However, Blue light operation does not specifically state yes or no about sirens. Practical experience across the state is that anyone authorized a blue light is administratively denied siren use by their department and/or the fire commissioner and/or state emergency commissioner.
Red, Red/White, Red/White/Blue, Red/Blue: Emergency Vehicle only, Just get there safe. All road laws generally go out the window other than get there safe and with due regard for others on the road, actual vehicle operation restrictions/allowances vary according to departmental apparatus SOP's.
Blue only: PD/FD/EMT with authorization from their command and/or the state commissioner of emergency services. Must have placard/plate showing what organization you belong to displayed somewhere.
Vehicle operation when responding with blue light: Stopsigns are still stopsigns, Traffic lights are stopsigns if red (continue if ROW is yielded), speeding allowed on your side of the road, if you have to take the oncoming lane or otherwise drive contrary to what the normal flow of traffic is you MUST go below the speed limit.
Practical experience:
Some departments are discontinuing blue light use due to the combination of:
people not yielding to just a blue light without a siren
idiots in departments driving as such
maintenance requirements of multiple issued lightbars
administrative overhead (paperwork locally for property tracking, paperwork for departmental certification via commissioner's administration, and paperwork required by law to the state.
For firefighters there is an additional element that is required. Your department has to apply to the Fire commissioner for department authorization for blue lights as well as submit everyone who signs up for blue lights to the commissioner. As per the Fire commissioner, it's department issued lights ONLY.
What this means, is that IF your department actually does let you use blue lights, you will have a big halogen lightbar on the top of whatever you drive. Hope you drive a fullsize truck. LOL.
The advantages to department issued lighting only is that if you drive like a retard and/or get kicked off/leave the department, your lighting is returned to the department and you don't have a "whacker" tooling around with a light system afterwards.
Some FF's have lighting on their vehicles regardless, for safety if first-responding to a scene they come up on. Come up on accident, stop, turn lights on. State regulations allow you to be stopped and have all sorts of lights going, and most go so far as to incorporate a reverse "park kill" for their lighting just so it can be shown that they can't "respond" with the lighting. Grey area, chain of command for my FD (which doesn't issue lights anymore) basically doesn't care since it's on you as a private citizen if you're a retard.
Amber/Blue: State DOT or otherwise construction-related vehicles.
Amber: General warning light. Plow trucks specifically are required to operate a 360 visible amber warning (no stipulation on single or multiple lights, a single halogen rotator or strobe works) while actually plowing. Needs to be off when not plowing, you will get ticketed if you run from site to site with it on, in a plow truck. Heavy equipment gets away without needing to turn the strobe off.
Any other color has no specific connotations to it.
Official Regulations:
General Operation of Vehicles:
13 AAC 02.517. Authorized and other emergency vehicles
(a) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of a statute, regulation or ordinance, when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, or in the performance of his official duties may disregard a statute, regulation or ordinance governing the operation, stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle, except as provided in this section.
( B) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency must use an audible signal meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.210(d) and visual signals meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.090, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not display a red light visible from in front of the vehicle and except as provided in © of this section.
© A driver of an authorized emergency vehicle which is parked, stopped or standing in disregard of a regulation or ordinance prohibiting the parking, stopping or standing may not use an audible signal.
(d) The driver of an off-highway vehicle may operate the vehicle upon a highway or railroad right-of-way when the vehicle is serving as an authorized emergency vehicle.
(e) A person driving a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.100 when responding to, but not upon returning from, an emergency, may, if not otherwise prohibited by a municipality, without undue danger to the safety of other persons or property
(1) park or stand the vehicle in violation of a traffic regulation or ordinance or near the scene of the fire to which he responded;
(2) except as provided in (f) of this section, exceed the maximum speed limit if he does not unreasonably endanger life or property, slows at each intersection, and exercises care under the circumstances; and
(3) disregard regulations or ordinances governing direction, movement or turning in a specified direction if he does so at a speed less than the maximum speed limit for that location.
(f) The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light from the duty to drive with regard for the safety of all persons, nor do the provisions of this section allow the driver of a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light to proceed past a stop sign or red signal without first stopping.
(g) When the commissioner or the commissioner's designee authorizes a person's motor vehicle to be equipped with a flashing blue light meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.100, the authorization must be in writing, and must be carried at all times in the vehicle. Failure to carry the authorization does not affect the status of the vehicle as an emergency vehicle. An authorization issued under this section is valid for five years from date of issue. An authorization issued under this section is void if the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled, or if the person's vehicle no longer meets the equipment standards set out in 13 AAC 04. A person must return the document granting authorization to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, if the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled or if the person's vehicle no longer meets the equipment standards set out in 13 AAC 04.
13 AAC 02.140. Driving a vehicle on approach of authorized emergency vehicles
(a) Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of a visual signal meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.090 and audible signals meeting the requirements of 13 AAC 04.210(d) , or a police vehicle making use of either a visual or an audible signal, the driver of every vehicle proceeding in any direction shall yield the right-of-way by slowing and pulling to the right hand edge of the roadway, clear of an intersection and stopping, to await passage of the emergency vehicle.
( B) Except for a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle responding to an emergency, a driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way as provided in (a) of this section to a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light as prescribed in 13 AAC 04.100. The vehicle displaying a flashing blue light shall yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle which is responding to an emergency.
© The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle displaying a flashing blue light from the duty to drive with regard for the safety of all persons using the highways.
Sirens:
13 AAC 04.210. Horns and warning devices
(a) A motor vehicle operated upon a highway or other vehicular way or area, except for snowmobiles, must be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of at least 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device may emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but may not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway or other vehicular way or area.
( B) No vehicle may be equipped with, nor may a person use, a siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
© A vehicle may be equipped with a theft alarm signal device, which is installed so that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal. A theft alarm signal device may use a whistle, bell, horn or other audible signal, but may not use a siren.
(d) Every authorized emergency vehicle must be equipped with a siren, whistle or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of at least 500 feet; the siren may be used only when the emergency vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or is in the immediate pursuit of a suspected violator of the law. The driver of the emergency vehicle shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of its approach.
Lights:
13 AAC 04.090. Authorized emergency vehicles
(a) Every authorized emergency vehicle must, in addition to other equipment required by this chapter, be equipped with a signal light mounted as high as practicable, and which is capable of displaying to the front and rear flashing red color of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. The flashing light must be sufficiently spaced from the headlights so that it will not be blacked out when the headlights are illuminated. An authorized emergency vehicle may display rotating beams of red light or of red and white light meeting the requirements of this subsection.
( B) Repealed 6/28/79.
© A police vehicle, when used as an authorized emergency vehicle, may but need not be equipped with alternately flashing red lights as specified in (a) of this section.
(d) Repealed 6/28/79.
(e) Repealed 6/28/79.
(f) Repealed 6/28/79.
(g) If, in addition to the light required in (a) of this section, a second or subsequent light is mounted on the authorized emergency vehicle, the light must be mounted as high as practicable and at the same level as the first light. The lights must be as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and must meet the spacing and visibility requirements of (a) of this section. The second light may display flashing blue color in accordance with sec. 100 of this chapter.
13 AAC 04.100. Flashing blue lights on vehicles
(a) A firefighter, an emergency medical service responder, or a police officer, with the concurrence of the chief of that person's department, when authorized under 13 AAC 02.517 or (i) of this section, may equip the person's motor vehicle with a flashing blue light that must be visible from the front and sides for a distance of 300 feet in normal sunlight. The flashing blue light authorized by this subsection may be illuminated only when the driver of the vehicle is a member of a fire or a police department responding to an emergency, and the vehicle must display a sign or plate that indicates the department membership and the name of the municipality or organization in which the driver is a member.
( B) Repealed 6/28/79.
© Repealed 6/28/79.
(d) Repealed 6/28/79.
(e) Police and public fire vehicles may not use a flashing blue light except simultaneously with a flashing red light as required in sec. 90 of this chapter.
(f) Vehicles, except those vehicles described in (e) of this section, that are owned or operated by the state or a municipality may not use a flashing blue light except simultaneously with a flashing yellow light and in accordance with 13 AAC 04.095.
(g) A person certified by a state agency to render emergency lifesaving or medical services, when authorized by the commissioner, may equip his private vehicle with a flashing blue light meeting the visibility requirements of (a) of this section, for use only when responding to an emergency. The flashing blue light may not be illuminated except when the driver of the vehicle is properly certified to render emergency lifesaving or medical services and his vehicle displays the "star of life" symbol.
(h) Lights displaying blue color may not be used upon vehicles, except as provided in this section.
(i) A fire chief, an emergency medical service provider, or a police chief of a municipality or borough that has been granted authority in writing by the commissioner may authorize a person to equip the person's motor vehicle with a flashing blue light if
(1) the person completes and returns to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee on a signed and notarized form prepared by the department a certification that
(A) the person's motor vehicle complies with the equipment standards set out in 13 AAC 04;
( B) the person holds a valid Alaska driver's license that has not been suspended, revoked, cancelled, or limited within the three years before the form is returned; and
© the person has read and understands the regulations for emergency vehicle operation set out in 13 AAC 02.140, 13 AAC 02.517 and 13 AAC 04.100; and
(2) if requested by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, the person provides a certified copy of the person's driving record.
Ref: Ontario Highway Traffic Act Section 62(14)
Intermittent red light restricted
(14) Subject to subsections (14.1) and (15), no person shall use a lamp, other than the vehicular hazard warning signal lamps commonly known as four way flashers, that produces intermittent flashes of red light. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (14); 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (1).
Red and blue lights to the front restricted
(14.1) In addition to the lighting requirements in this Part, a police department vehicle may carry lamps that cast red and blue lights, but no other motor vehicle shall carry any lamp that casts red and blue lights to the front. 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (2).
Red light in front
(15) In addition to the lighting requirements in this Part, a vehicle described in subsection (15.1) may carry lamps that cast a red light only or such other colour of light that may, with the approval of the ministry, be designated by a by-law of the municipality in which the vehicle is operated, but no other motor vehicle shall carry any lamp that casts a red light to the front. 1998, c. 35, s. 103.
Same
(15.1) The following are vehicles to which subsection (15) applies:
1. An ambulance, fire department vehicle, police department vehicle, public utility emergency vehicle or school bus.
2. A ministry vehicle operated by an officer appointed for carrying out the provisions of this Act or the Public Vehicles Act, while the officer is in the course of his or her employment.
3. A vehicle while operated by a conservation officer, fishery officer, provincial park officer or mine rescue training officer, while the officer is in the course of his or her employment.
4. A vehicle while operated by a provincial officer designated under the Environmental Protection Act, the Nutrient Management Act, 2002, the Ontario Water Resources Act, the Pesticides Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 or the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009, while the officer is in the course of his or her employment.
5. A prescribed class or type of vehicle, driven by a prescribed class of persons or engaged in a prescribed activity or in prescribed conditions or circumstances. 1998, c. 35, s. 103; 2002, c. 4, s. 64; 2002, c. 18, Sched. P, s. 19 (2); 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (3, 4); 2009, c. 19, s. 68 (1).
Flashing blue light on snow-removal equipment
(31) No person shall, while operating a road service vehicle on a highway, plow, salt or de-ice the highway or apply chemicals or abrasives to the highway for snow or ice control unless the road service vehicle is equipped with a lamp producing intermittent flashes of blue light visible for a distance of 150 metres from all directions. 1996, c. 33, s. 11.
Restriction on use of flashing blue light
(32) No person shall operate a lamp that produces intermittent flashes of blue light on a highway except,
(a) a person operating a road service vehicle in the circumstances described in subsection (31); or
( B) a person operating a police department vehicle, together with a lamp that produces intermittent flashes of red light, as permitted by subsection (14.1). 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (8).
I cannot find any restrictions on amber/white flashing lights.
Intermittent red light restricted
(14) Subject to subsections (14.1) and (15), no person shall use a lamp, other than the vehicular hazard warning signal lamps commonly known as four way flashers, that produces intermittent flashes of red light. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (14); 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (1).
Red and blue lights to the front restricted
(14.1) In addition to the lighting requirements in this Part, a police department vehicle may carry lamps that cast red and blue lights, but no other motor vehicle shall carry any lamp that casts red and blue lights to the front. 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (2).
Red light in front
(15) In addition to the lighting requirements in this Part, a vehicle described in subsection (15.1) may carry lamps that cast a red light only or such other colour of light that may, with the approval of the ministry, be designated by a by-law of the municipality in which the vehicle is operated, but no other motor vehicle shall carry any lamp that casts a red light to the front. 1998, c. 35, s. 103.
Same
(15.1) The following are vehicles to which subsection (15) applies:
1. An ambulance, fire department vehicle, police department vehicle, public utility emergency vehicle or school bus.
2. A ministry vehicle operated by an officer appointed for carrying out the provisions of this Act or the Public Vehicles Act, while the officer is in the course of his or her employment.
3. A vehicle while operated by a conservation officer, fishery officer, provincial park officer or mine rescue training officer, while the officer is in the course of his or her employment.
4. A vehicle while operated by a provincial officer designated under the Environmental Protection Act, the Nutrient Management Act, 2002, the Ontario Water Resources Act, the Pesticides Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 or the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009, while the officer is in the course of his or her employment.
5. A prescribed class or type of vehicle, driven by a prescribed class of persons or engaged in a prescribed activity or in prescribed conditions or circumstances. 1998, c. 35, s. 103; 2002, c. 4, s. 64; 2002, c. 18, Sched. P, s. 19 (2); 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (3, 4); 2009, c. 19, s. 68 (1).
Flashing blue light on snow-removal equipment
(31) No person shall, while operating a road service vehicle on a highway, plow, salt or de-ice the highway or apply chemicals or abrasives to the highway for snow or ice control unless the road service vehicle is equipped with a lamp producing intermittent flashes of blue light visible for a distance of 150 metres from all directions. 1996, c. 33, s. 11.
Restriction on use of flashing blue light
(32) No person shall operate a lamp that produces intermittent flashes of blue light on a highway except,
(a) a person operating a road service vehicle in the circumstances described in subsection (31); or
( B) a person operating a police department vehicle, together with a lamp that produces intermittent flashes of red light, as permitted by subsection (14.1). 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (8).
I cannot find any restrictions on amber/white flashing lights.
Ref: Newfoundland Highway Traffic Act
Privileges of emergency vehicle
123. (1) The driver of an emergency vehicle when responding to, but not when returning from, an emergency call or alarm, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law may
(a) exceed the speed limit; and
( B) stop or stand.
(2) The driver of an emergency vehicle shall not exceed the speed limit unless he or she is sounding an audible signal by bell, horn, siren or exhaust whistle and is showing a flashing red light where the vehicle is so equipped.
(3) The driver of an emergency vehicle who is exceeding the speed limit shall drive with due regard for safety having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including
(a) the nature, condition and use of the highway;
( B) the amount of traffic that is on or might reasonably be expected to be on the highway; and
© the nature of the use being made of the emergency vehicle at the time.
(4) A driver of an ambulance is considered to be responding to an emergency call from the time the driver receives the call until he or she arrives at the destination of the passenger.
(5) A driver of a vehicle, other than the driver of an emergency vehicle who is responding to an emergency call or alarm, shall not sound a siren.
(6) A driver of a vehicle, other than a vehicle carrying firefighting equipment returning from a fire alarm or other than the driver of an emergency vehicle who is responding to an emergency call or alarm, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law shall not show a flashing red light.
Ref: Newfoundland Highway Traffic Act Regulations, Licensing and Equipment Regulations
21. (1) A motor vehicle may not be equipped with a lamp capable of casting a red light visible from the front or a white light visible from the rear of the vehicle, except that
(a) an emergency vehicle and a motor vehicle of the Emergency Measures Organization may be equipped with 2 red flashing or revolving lamps for use, in the case of an emergency vehicle, in the circumstances specified in section 123 of the Highway Traffic Act and in the case of a motor vehicle of the Emergency Measures Organization, when responding to, but not when returning from, an emergency call or alarm; and
( B) a school bus shall be equipped with red flashing lights in accordance with the Bus Regulations for use in the circumstances specified by section 137 of the Act.
(2) A motor vehicle may not be equipped with a flashing or revolving lamp capable of emitting coloured light and mounted on the roof or cabin of the vehicle except that
(a) a motor vehicle equipped with a sandspreading device and a traction engine while being used for the removal of snow from a highway or engaged in highway maintenance shall be equipped with a lamp producing intermittent flashes of blue light visible for a distance of 150 metres;
( B) a motor vehicle equipped with a sandspreading device or a traction engine engaged in plowing snow from the highway may be equipped with a white light attached to the rear of the vehicle which will illuminate the roadway but shall not project a beam of light more than 5 metres on the roadway, to the rear of the vehicle;
© a towing and wrecking vehicle shall be equipped with not more than 2 amber revolving or flashing lamps that shall be operated when that vehicle is stopped on a highway rendering assistance to a disabled vehicle and when engaged in towing a disabled vehicle on a highway;
(d) a truck tractor, when towing a trailer or other vehicle with an overall width of vehicle and load in excess of 2.6 metres and operating under a permit issued by the minister, shall be equipped with not more than 2 flashing or revolving lamps which shall be operated at all times when that vehicle is proceeding on a highway; and
(e) the minister may issue a permit for the equipping and operation of distinguishing lamps to emit coloured light other than blue or red light on a vehicle when, in his or her opinion, the equipping and operation of that distinguishing lamp is necessary for the safe operation on a highway of such a vehicle or for the safe movement of a load or object which is to be preceded by that vehicle.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2),
(a) a police vehicle;
( B) a vehicle owned by the federal government and operated by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and a vehicle owned by the provincial government and under the control of an enforcement officer while engaged in the enforcement of the Fisheries Act and regulations under that Act;
© a vehicle owned by the provincial government and a vehicle owned by the federal government and operated by Parks Canada, while engaged in enforcement of the Highway Traffic Act and the regulations under that Act;
(c.1) a vehicle owned by the provincial government and under the control of an enforcement officer while engaged in enforcement of the Endangered Species Act , the Forestry Act , the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act , the Wild Life Act or regulations made under one of those statutes;
(d) a vehicle owned by the federal government and operated by the Department of Environment Canada and a vehicle owned by the provincial government and under the control of an enforcement officer while engaged in enforcement of the Migratory Birds Convention Act and regulations under that Act; and
(e) a vehicle owned by the St. John’s Port Corporation and operated by the Enforcement Division of that Corporation while engaged in enforcement of the Corporation By-laws and Traffic Regulations,
may be equipped with flashing or revolving lamps capable of emitting a blue or red light and mounted on the roof or cabin of the vehicle.
Privileges of emergency vehicle
123. (1) The driver of an emergency vehicle when responding to, but not when returning from, an emergency call or alarm, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law may
(a) exceed the speed limit; and
( B) stop or stand.
(2) The driver of an emergency vehicle shall not exceed the speed limit unless he or she is sounding an audible signal by bell, horn, siren or exhaust whistle and is showing a flashing red light where the vehicle is so equipped.
(3) The driver of an emergency vehicle who is exceeding the speed limit shall drive with due regard for safety having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including
(a) the nature, condition and use of the highway;
( B) the amount of traffic that is on or might reasonably be expected to be on the highway; and
© the nature of the use being made of the emergency vehicle at the time.
(4) A driver of an ambulance is considered to be responding to an emergency call from the time the driver receives the call until he or she arrives at the destination of the passenger.
(5) A driver of a vehicle, other than the driver of an emergency vehicle who is responding to an emergency call or alarm, shall not sound a siren.
(6) A driver of a vehicle, other than a vehicle carrying firefighting equipment returning from a fire alarm or other than the driver of an emergency vehicle who is responding to an emergency call or alarm, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law shall not show a flashing red light.
Ref: Newfoundland Highway Traffic Act Regulations, Licensing and Equipment Regulations
21. (1) A motor vehicle may not be equipped with a lamp capable of casting a red light visible from the front or a white light visible from the rear of the vehicle, except that
(a) an emergency vehicle and a motor vehicle of the Emergency Measures Organization may be equipped with 2 red flashing or revolving lamps for use, in the case of an emergency vehicle, in the circumstances specified in section 123 of the Highway Traffic Act and in the case of a motor vehicle of the Emergency Measures Organization, when responding to, but not when returning from, an emergency call or alarm; and
( B) a school bus shall be equipped with red flashing lights in accordance with the Bus Regulations for use in the circumstances specified by section 137 of the Act.
(2) A motor vehicle may not be equipped with a flashing or revolving lamp capable of emitting coloured light and mounted on the roof or cabin of the vehicle except that
(a) a motor vehicle equipped with a sandspreading device and a traction engine while being used for the removal of snow from a highway or engaged in highway maintenance shall be equipped with a lamp producing intermittent flashes of blue light visible for a distance of 150 metres;
( B) a motor vehicle equipped with a sandspreading device or a traction engine engaged in plowing snow from the highway may be equipped with a white light attached to the rear of the vehicle which will illuminate the roadway but shall not project a beam of light more than 5 metres on the roadway, to the rear of the vehicle;
© a towing and wrecking vehicle shall be equipped with not more than 2 amber revolving or flashing lamps that shall be operated when that vehicle is stopped on a highway rendering assistance to a disabled vehicle and when engaged in towing a disabled vehicle on a highway;
(d) a truck tractor, when towing a trailer or other vehicle with an overall width of vehicle and load in excess of 2.6 metres and operating under a permit issued by the minister, shall be equipped with not more than 2 flashing or revolving lamps which shall be operated at all times when that vehicle is proceeding on a highway; and
(e) the minister may issue a permit for the equipping and operation of distinguishing lamps to emit coloured light other than blue or red light on a vehicle when, in his or her opinion, the equipping and operation of that distinguishing lamp is necessary for the safe operation on a highway of such a vehicle or for the safe movement of a load or object which is to be preceded by that vehicle.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2),
(a) a police vehicle;
( B) a vehicle owned by the federal government and operated by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and a vehicle owned by the provincial government and under the control of an enforcement officer while engaged in the enforcement of the Fisheries Act and regulations under that Act;
© a vehicle owned by the provincial government and a vehicle owned by the federal government and operated by Parks Canada, while engaged in enforcement of the Highway Traffic Act and the regulations under that Act;
(c.1) a vehicle owned by the provincial government and under the control of an enforcement officer while engaged in enforcement of the Endangered Species Act , the Forestry Act , the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act , the Wild Life Act or regulations made under one of those statutes;
(d) a vehicle owned by the federal government and operated by the Department of Environment Canada and a vehicle owned by the provincial government and under the control of an enforcement officer while engaged in enforcement of the Migratory Birds Convention Act and regulations under that Act; and
(e) a vehicle owned by the St. John’s Port Corporation and operated by the Enforcement Division of that Corporation while engaged in enforcement of the Corporation By-laws and Traffic Regulations,
may be equipped with flashing or revolving lamps capable of emitting a blue or red light and mounted on the roof or cabin of the vehicle.
Originally Posted by patrol530
316.2397 Certain lights prohibited; exceptions.—(1) No person shall drive or move or cause to be moved any vehicle or equipment upon any highway within this state with any lamp or device thereon showing or displaying a red or blue light visible from directly in front thereof except for certain vehicles hereinafter provided.
(2) It is expressly prohibited for any vehicle or equipment, except police vehicles, to show or display blue lights. However, vehicles owned, operated, or leased by the Department of Corrections or any county correctional agency may show or display blue lights when responding to emergencies.
(3) Vehicles of the fire department and fire patrol, including vehicles of volunteer firefighters as permitted under s. 316.2398, vehicles of medical staff physicians or technicians of medical facilities licensed by the state as authorized under s. 316.2398, ambulances as authorized under this chapter, and buses and taxicabs as authorized under s. 316.2399 are permitted to show or display red lights. Vehicles of the fire department, fire patrol, police vehicles, and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal and county departments, public service corporations operated by private corporations, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Corrections as are designated or authorized by their respective department or the chief of police of an incorporated city or any sheriff of any county are hereby authorized to operate emergency lights and sirens in an emergency. Wreckers, mosquito control fog and spray vehicles, and emergency vehicles of governmental departments or public service corporations may show or display amber lights when in actual operation or when a hazard exists provided they are not used going to and from the scene of operation or hazard without specific authorization of a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency. Wreckers must use amber rotating or flashing lights while performing recoveries and loading on the roadside day or night, and may use such lights while towing a vehicle on wheel lifts, slings, or under reach if the operator of the wrecker deems such lights necessary. A flatbed, car carrier, or rollback may not use amber rotating or flashing lights when hauling a vehicle on the bed unless it creates a hazard to other motorists because of protruding objects. Further, escort vehicles may show or display amber lights when in the actual process of escorting overdimensioned equipment, material, or buildings as authorized by law. Vehicles owned or leased by private security agencies may show or display green and amber lights, with either color being no greater than 50 percent of the lights displayed, while the security personnel are engaged in security duties on private or public property.
(4) Road or street maintenance equipment, road or street maintenance vehicles, road service vehicles, refuse collection vehicles, petroleum tankers, and mail carrier vehicles may show or display amber lights when in operation or a hazard exists.
(5) Road maintenance and construction equipment and vehicles may display flashing white lights or flashing white strobe lights when in operation and where a hazard exists. Additionally, school buses and vehicles that are used to transport farm workers may display flashing white strobe lights.
(6) All lighting equipment heretofore referred to shall meet all requirements as set forth in s. 316.241.
(7) Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as a means of indicating a right or left turn, to change lanes, or to indicate that the vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled upon the highway or except that the lamps authorized in subsections (1), (2), (3), (4), and (9) and s. 316.235(5) are permitted to flash.
(8) Subsections (1) and (7) do not apply to police, fire, or authorized emergency vehicles while in the performance of their necessary duties.
(9) Flashing red lights may be used by emergency response vehicles of the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health when responding to an emergency in the line of duty.
(10) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
I'm confused...I at first thought it was 2 flashing red lights only for volunteer firefighters, and no siren. Reading the above, I'm taking it as volunteers can have sirens?? Can someone clear this up for me
316.2397 Certain lights prohibited; exceptions.—(1) No person shall drive or move or cause to be moved any vehicle or equipment upon any highway within this state with any lamp or device thereon showing or displaying a red or blue light visible from directly in front thereof except for certain vehicles hereinafter provided.
(2) It is expressly prohibited for any vehicle or equipment, except police vehicles, to show or display blue lights. However, vehicles owned, operated, or leased by the Department of Corrections or any county correctional agency may show or display blue lights when responding to emergencies.
(3) Vehicles of the fire department and fire patrol, including vehicles of volunteer firefighters as permitted under s. 316.2398, vehicles of medical staff physicians or technicians of medical facilities licensed by the state as authorized under s. 316.2398, ambulances as authorized under this chapter, and buses and taxicabs as authorized under s. 316.2399 are permitted to show or display red lights. Vehicles of the fire department, fire patrol, police vehicles, and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal and county departments, public service corporations operated by private corporations, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Corrections as are designated or authorized by their respective department or the chief of police of an incorporated city or any sheriff of any county are hereby authorized to operate emergency lights and sirens in an emergency. Wreckers, mosquito control fog and spray vehicles, and emergency vehicles of governmental departments or public service corporations may show or display amber lights when in actual operation or when a hazard exists provided they are not used going to and from the scene of operation or hazard without specific authorization of a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency. Wreckers must use amber rotating or flashing lights while performing recoveries and loading on the roadside day or night, and may use such lights while towing a vehicle on wheel lifts, slings, or under reach if the operator of the wrecker deems such lights necessary. A flatbed, car carrier, or rollback may not use amber rotating or flashing lights when hauling a vehicle on the bed unless it creates a hazard to other motorists because of protruding objects. Further, escort vehicles may show or display amber lights when in the actual process of escorting overdimensioned equipment, material, or buildings as authorized by law. Vehicles owned or leased by private security agencies may show or display green and amber lights, with either color being no greater than 50 percent of the lights displayed, while the security personnel are engaged in security duties on private or public property.
(4) Road or street maintenance equipment, road or street maintenance vehicles, road service vehicles, refuse collection vehicles, petroleum tankers, and mail carrier vehicles may show or display amber lights when in operation or a hazard exists.
(5) Road maintenance and construction equipment and vehicles may display flashing white lights or flashing white strobe lights when in operation and where a hazard exists. Additionally, school buses and vehicles that are used to transport farm workers may display flashing white strobe lights.
(6) All lighting equipment heretofore referred to shall meet all requirements as set forth in s. 316.241.
(7) Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as a means of indicating a right or left turn, to change lanes, or to indicate that the vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled upon the highway or except that the lamps authorized in subsections (1), (2), (3), (4), and (9) and s. 316.235(5) are permitted to flash.
(8) Subsections (1) and (7) do not apply to police, fire, or authorized emergency vehicles while in the performance of their necessary duties.
(9) Flashing red lights may be used by emergency response vehicles of the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health when responding to an emergency in the line of duty.
(10) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
I'm confused...I at first thought it was 2 flashing red lights only for volunteer firefighters, and no siren. Reading the above, I'm taking it as volunteers can have sirens?? Can someone clear this up for me
firemedic10584 said:
It's pretty clear as it states you can run lights and omits you from the siren list. People often write their own laws in their heads when it doesn't state that you cannot. If your name is not on the CAN list then you cannot. We have this problem in MO. It CLEARLY states volunteer FF are blue light ONLY as it states on the official blue light card. But because we are not on the CANNOT list , they freelance the law. Wrong wrong wrong.