United_Kingdom Emergency_vehicle_lighting

the light bar on top of northumbria police car (england)

usage of emergency vehicle lighting restricted in united kingdom through road vehicle lighting regulations 1989. illegal vehicle show flashing colored light (with exception of normal direction indicators or green anti-lock brake warning indicator), unless emergency or other authorized vehicle. pedal cycles can exhibit flashing rear red lamp , flashing white front lamp.

the main color emergency service vehicles overwhelmingly blue, although there widespread use of flashing (white) headlights, , police vehicles have set of 2 rear-facing red flashing lights indicate police car stopped or indicate caution. legal definition of emergency vehicle limits use of both methods vehicles used for:

fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes (this includes private fire or emergency ambulance services, not private security)
fire salvage
forestry commission or local authority when fighting fires
ministry of defence bomb disposal, mountain rescue, nuclear emergency or armament support, or special forces responding national security emergency
national blood service or scottish national blood transfusion service vehicles
hm coastguard
british coal corporation (now coal authority) mine rescue
rnli lifeboat launching vehicles (usually restricted launching slipway)
mountain rescue
carrying human tissue transplant
hm revenue , customs when investigating serious crime.
london underground erus - emergency response units - when attending emergencies.

blue flashing lights must lit @ scene of emergency, or when driver considers desirable indicate journey being undertaken urgent, , (in terms of law) convey other drivers should take special care.

six metropolitan police service special escort group motorcycles driving blue lights flashing.

although not linked use of warning beacons, police, fire brigade , ambulance services (and in cases, blood services , bomb disposal units, not other emergency services listed above) may choose allow drivers claim legal exemptions motoring regulations, such being able treat red traffic light give way sign, exceeding speed limit, passing wrong side of keep left/right sign, driving in bus lane, or parking in restricted areas. may not, however, ignore ‘no entry’ signs, drive wrong way down one-way street or cross solid white line in middle of road (other same exceptions granted else, example pass stationary vehicle). in reality drivers disobey other laws @ professional judgement without automatic protection law. services, such hm coastguard not allow staff claim exemptions available them.

no qualification other driver s license legally required use blue lights; whilst provision has been made require drivers of emergency vehicles have suitable training if driving above speed limit, has not yet been brought force. organizations insist drivers trained in emergency driving techniques.

the common combination of blue flashing lights two-tone sirens has led ‘blues , twos’ becoming nickname core emergency services whole, title of british documentary series depicting them.

amber/yellow lights

amber lights grant no priority in traffic , exist purely advertise vehicle’s presence. regulations specifies several classes of vehicles may use amber lights, such towing, highway maintenance, pilot vehicles escorting oversize load, , vehicles unable travel on 25 mph , fitting these lights other vehicles(such privately owned or pedestrian) legal (these beacons fitted vehicles wide-ranging security , ambulances).

amber leds used on operational appliances owned hampshire fire , rescue service. combination of blue , amber leds in light bar proven more visible @ distance. amber lights utilised vehicle , operator services agency (vosa)

other lights

green emergency lighting being used worldwide national security agencies responsible protection of critical infrastructure due new risk of terrorism. uk along australia, canada, new zealand , several other commonwealth countries use green emergency lights along usa identify special security vehicles while on secured facilities responding security breach @ facility. royal park estate wardens authorised use green emergency warning lights.

flashing red lights not allowed on vehicles, though many emergency vehicles have rear-facing flashing red lights, used signify vehicle stationary. these are, however, prohibited regulations. hazard lights may wired function @ same time, make civilians further conscious of presence. fog lights may used in alternating left/right pattern.

steady checkered lights denote command , control vehicles - these red , white fire (one of few situations forward-facing red light may shown), blue , white police , green , white ambulance, , fitted in middle of light bar.

it should noted uk legislation considers lights, reflectors , reflective material lights, , items resembling special warning beacons (of color) must covered , not disconnected (as separate offence) while on public highway. similarly, no distinction made between lights mounted on light bars , mounted anywhere else on vehicle (e.g. headlights, indicators, brake lights) - covered same regulations.