LED Emergency Lights

[FDNY 10-75 640]

Just to add on to what I said earlier:

Many of these knock off companies offer a "lifetime" or 5 year warranty, but when these places go belly up in 6 months or a year and your light stops working, your warranty is no good. Not to say they all go out of business, but from what I have read, many of them do.

[mricorp 12]

the LED light I have can easily rival the Whelen products at a substantial savings.

It only "rivals" Whelen in price because they copy the design from Whelen, make it in China, and send it back here.

Support America and our workers.....BUY AMERICAN!

[helicopper 1,050]

I

I thought that clear meant nothing and a vehicle could have clear lights facing in any direction but they mean nothing. It is simply chosen out of taste. I could be completely wrong though.

You are completely wrong. It is a violation of the VTL (Section 375-41) to have anything other than a blue light on a VFD personal vehicle or a green light on a VAC personal vehicle.

Red and white (clear) lights are specifically reserved for emergency vehicles (VTL 375-41)

[helicopper 1,050]

I know the NYS law applies to the front of POV's, but what about the back? Can you have rear facing red or blue lights?

That would be NO. The law clearly states that red and white (clear) lights are reserved exclusively for authorized emergency vehicles (a defined term in the law).

As for "front of POV's), the law says that a single blue or green light can be affixed to a vehicle operated by a VFD or VAC member. It should be visible from 360 degrees. This does not mean you can adorn your vehicle with 17 different lights all facing in different directions, according to the letter of the law.

It also doesn't mean you can put hideaway strobes in your taillights or marker lights as they are clear or red in most cases. Amber lights are regulated too.

The bottom line is for all the complaining we do about how people fail to yield, we still send such conflicting messages that it is no wonder that people have no idea what to do.

[PFDRes47cue 653]

You are completely wrong. It is a violation of the VTL (Section 375-41) to have anything other than a blue light on a VFD personal vehicle or a green light on a VAC personal vehicle.

Red and white (clear) lights are specifically reserved for emergency vehicles (VTL 375-41)

Amber?

[helicopper 1,050]

<BR>Amber?<BR>

<BR><BR>Restricted to authorized hazard vehicles. <BR><BR>I strongly recommend that before you (any "you") take on the liablity of adding accessories to your vehicle that may or may not be authorized you take a minute and look at the law. It can be found online and only takes a few minutes to read but it may save you a LOT of aggravation in the future.<BR><BR>Below are also the DMV regulations for colored lights (note that these are the REGULATIONS and describe in more detail what is spelled out in the LAWS):<BR><BR>

15 NY ADC 44.4<BR><BR><BR><BR>15 NYCRR 44.4<BR><BR>15 N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. 44.4<BR><BR>OFFICIAL COMPILATION OF CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKTITLE 15. DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLESCHAPTER I. REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERSUBCHAPTER D. EQUIPMENTPART 44. COLORED LIGHTSCurrent through August 15, 2010 <BR><BR><BR>* Section 44.4.* Blue and green lights.<BR><BR>(a)<BR>(1) 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, provided that such blue light or lights shall be displayed on a police vehicle for rear projection only. In the event that the trunk or rear gate of a police vehicle obstructs or diminishes the visibility of other emergency lighting on such vehicle, a blue light may be affixed to and displayed from the trunk, rear gate or interior of such vehicle. Such lights may be displayed on a police vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in an emergency operation. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize the use of blue lights on a police vehicle unless such vehicle also displays one or more red, or combination red and white lights as otherwise authorized in this section.<BR>(2) 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 is employed.<BR>( 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.<BR>© Authorization to affix a blue light to each of the motor vehicles described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section must be in writing, signed by the chief of the fire department or company. Authorization to affix a green light to each of the vehicles described in subdivision ( of this section must be in writing and signed by the chief officer of the volunteer ambulance service. The authorization given to members of their respective organization may be revoked at any time by the chief officer who issued the same or his successor in office. Such written authority must be carried upon the person of the operator of the vehicle whenever such lights are displayed.<BR>(d) A green light may not be affixed, nor may the authorization be given to do so, to a vehicle described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section where an ambulance service is operated by and is a function of a volunteer fire department or company.<BR>(e) A blue light may be affixed to a vehicle which is entitled to have a green light affixed and such green light is affixed and both are properly authorized.<BR>(f) A green light may be affixed to a vehicle, other than a police vehicle, which is entitled to have a blue light affixed and such blue light is affixed and both are properly authorized.<BR>(g) A blue or green light may be affixed to a vehicle which is entitled to have amber lights affixed and one or more amber lights are so affixed, except that only one color which is appropriate to the activity of the vehicle may be displayed at any one time.<BR>(h) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a blue or green light may not be affixed to a vehicle which is entitled to have red lights affixed and one or more red lights are so affixed.<BR>(i) A vehicle authorized to have either a blue or green light affixed may display only one such light and only when engaged in an emergency operation as set forth in subdivision (<IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://www.emtbravo.net/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif"> of section 44.2 of this Part.<BR>(j) A vehicle authorized to have both a blue and green light affixed may display only one such light at a time and only that light which is appropriate to the use of the vehicle at that time.<BR>(k) A blue or green light affixed to and displayed upon a vehicle pursuant to the preceding provisions shall also comply with the following:<BR>(1) Only one such light may be displayed which must be visible from in front of such vehicle.<BR>(2) [Reserved]<BR>(3) Such light may not be part of the headlamp system.<BR>(4) No inscription may appear across the face of the lens or dome.<BR>(5) Such light may be a fixed, unidirectional light, either steady or flashing, mounted in front of or behind the grille or anywhere on the vehicle, or a revolving, rotating, oscillating or constantly moving light which must be mounted above the headlamps preferably on the roof to avoid reflected glare or distraction to the operator. If mounted upon the dashboard inside the vehicle, a suitable cover, which may consist of paint, must be used to prevent reflected glare or distraction to the operator.<BR>(6) Such light must consist of a lamp with a blue or green lens and not an uncolored lens with a blue or green bulb, except that a roof-mounted dome unit which does not include a lens, must consist of a blue or green dome and not an uncolored dome with a blue or green bulb.<BR>(7) The lens of such a light must be not less than three inches nor more than six inches in diameter, except that a roof-mounted dome unit which does not include a lens must be not more than nine inches in height.<BR>(8) A roof-mounted dome unit may consist of one or more bulbs or sealed-beam lamps whose light source cannot exceed 32 candlepower.<BR>(9) The affixing of more than one light or lighting device or fixture whereby the lights or lamps are made to flash alternately is prohibited.<BR>(10) The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to a police vehicle.<BR>(l) One bar light may be used, provided that:<BR>(1) it has a housing not more than nine inches high;<BR>(2) it consists of a blue or green housing, and not an uncolored housing with blue or green bulbs;<BR>(3) all bulbs inside the housing flash on and off simultaneously;<BR>(4) the blue or green housing is continuous with no breaks, barriers or coverings which could give the appearance of two or more lights; and<BR>(5) it is mounted on the roof of the vehicle and not on the hood, trunk or other part of the vehicle.<BR>(m) Lights that give off blinding flashes, such as strobe lights, are prohibited.<BR>(n) Some examples of prohibited lights are:<BR>(1) a blue or green light on the front of the vehicle together with the same color light on the roof;<BR>(2) a blue or green dome light and a bar light of the same color;<BR>(3) a bar light divided into two or more parts by any section of another color, including white, or by any opaque material; or<BR>(4) two blue or two green dome lights.<BR>(o) A green light may not have a light source greater than 32 candlepower.<BR>15 NY ADC 44.4<BR>15 NY ADC 44.4<BR>2008 WL 75304318<BR>15 NY ADC 44.4<BR><BR>END OF DOCUMENT <BR>

[PFDRes47cue 653]

it consists of a blue or green housing, and not an uncolored housing with blue or green bulbs;<BR>(3) all bulbs inside the housing flash on and off simultaneously;

Does something similar apply to fire tucks, ambulance, utilities, etc? Just curious because I do not think I have ever seen a light bar that flashes all LED's simultaneously.

[Chevyman 1]

I have an amber FS vista lightbar full size with 4 flashers 2 amber in front and 2 in the back one red an one amber i use it for picking up scrap metal and towing car's to junk yard the cops never side any thing to me yet iv seen tow trucks do it then i did it the putnam co. sheriffs seen it the state police and westchester co. police seen it so point is i don't see it as a problem with having red light's face the rear of your car,truck,van etc....

[helicopper 1,050]

Why dont you just check the NYS emergency vehicle VTL.

http://www.health.st.../pdf/srgvat.pdf

Section 375. Equipment.

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 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

white light which must be revolving, rotating, flashing or 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.

It is ambiguous, a chief I spoke to said yes it is legal to have blue and white in NYS, but this makes that statement seem untrue. Not that any police officer or trooper I have ever passed responding to the FD in my POV has cared.

The chief was wrong. Don't be shocked, it happens. I only know for sure because I've read the law. It is not ambiguous at all - sub 2 above clearly states, a clear (white) flashing (or rotating, oscillating, etc.) light is only authorized on an emergency vehicle (and again that's a defined term) when engaged in an emergency operation.

I don't know what happened to the formatting of the text from the DMV Rules and Regulations, I'll try to repost that later with the formatting intact.

Guys, for all of you that have said you use(d) lights that are in violation of the section but "nobody ever did anything" or "the cops let it go", be happy with that but remember you are in violation of the law and if you have an accident or encounter a law enforcement officer who doesn't care that you're ___________ from _________ FD/VAC/whatever, you can get written. It's the same thing as speeding, if you exceed the speed limit and don't get stopped that doesn't make it legal.

Be smart, be careful. Review the law and decide what you're going to do as a well informed consumer.