Vehicle Emergency Lights: The Rules of Engagement

     Emergency lights for automobiles can come in an amazingly broad array of colors, shapes and styles. Usually, such lighting is used to signal surrounding traffic that an emergency is underway, or a perhaps issue a lower grade warning to communicate caution for vehicles to yield right of way. Independent contractors such as roofers, electricians, and security guards all benefit from the usage of emergency lighting in appropriate situations. The number of local volunteer emergency personnel has also been on the rise, creating even more of a need for the properly applied use of emergency vehicle lights . Laws vary from state to state as to what colors are allowed for civilian use, so research your locality for allowable color codes. The following classifications apply to the United States. Color code Overview Red is the best known of all the emergency light colors . Forward facing red lights are most often exclusively reserved for police and fire department, though they can also be used in certain states for funeral hearses. Blue lights are often reserved for law enforcement in most states, but tow trucks and EMTs can legally use this color as well. Many western states are also allowed to use blue lights on snowplows. Amber/Yellow lights are traditionally used for construction vehicles or tow trucks, indicating a vehicle is going slower than the flow of traffic. This color is one of the most common colors used for non-emergency purposes, though they can also signal danger, such as a downed power line. Green is a less common warning light color. Green can signify a command vehicle such as a fire chief's car. EMTs and volunteer firefighters will often use green as if other colors in a given state ( such as blue ) are reserved. Green can also connote a HAZMAT vehicle. White lights are often used as "sidebar" lights in combination with other emergency colors. School buses in some states are required to use a white light beacon when dropping off and picking up passengers. White is also used as front lights accompanied by red for emergency medical vehicles.

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