American Police Car - Use of Blues in an Emergency

[adam12]

hi all.

i have a usa police car that  i drive sometimes to and from shows.
i have a red and blue lightbar with amber at rear,they act as a warning light too.
i was just wondering,if i was on my way back from a show,and there was an acident up the road arround the bend.would i be able to use my blue lights to warn people that come round the bend that there is an accident there,and when i call police i tell them ive turned my lights on to warn people,when the police arrive i would turn off my blue lights,would i be ok to do that,or would i  be making matters worse,on my car i have a red/blue lightbar,i have red/blue and amber strobes at rear window.
i wouldlike to think ill be slowing people down as they came round the corner,im not the sort of person that  drives off,i would try to help if i could,if i put my lights on,it would make other drivers slow down,if they came round the corner thay would drive right into the accident,what do you think guys.any advice.

[Tigger]

Do you have a shift key on your keyboard ?

[SoS]

hi all.

i have a usa police car that  i drive sometimes to and from shows.
i have a red and blue lightbar with amber at rear,they act as a warning light too.
i was just wondering,if i was on my way back from a show,and there was an acident up the road arround the bend.would i be able to use my blue lights to warn people that come round the bend that there is an accident there,and when i call police i tell them ive turned my lights on to warn people,when the police arrive i would turn off my blue lights,would i be ok to do that,or would i  be making matters worse,on my car i have a red/blue lightbar,i have red/blue and amber strobes at rear window.
i wouldlike to think ill be slowing people down as they came round the corner,im not the sort of person that  drives off,i would try to help if i could,if i put my lights on,it would make other drivers slow down,if they came round the corner thay would drive right into the accident,what do you think guys.any advice.

Stick your hazards on, like any other member of the public would.  Keep a fluorescent jacket in your boot, for your own safety, especially useful if dealing with traffic flow.  

Blue/red flashing lights are for the emergency services only.  Please do not ever be tempted to use them on the road.  :no:

[Chiprafp]

Or you could put your hazards on and the amber!

[SgtAngel]

Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989:

Regulation 16

No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with:

(a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or
(b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

The red section of the light bar would also fall foul of the RVLR but I can't remember the regulation concerned.

See this thread also http://www.police999.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1947

[BigMac]

adam12

I like your train of thought and willing to help but it can only be problematic. I think it may only cause confusion due mostly to the type of vehicle you have (most public recognise immediately UK Police vehicles).

Most forces, if not all, train their officers on where and how to position their vehicles at incidents and if someone was to plough into you, you may be held liable or at least might end up with a private case against you. Thats without falling foul of UK legislation and maybe getting booked. Too much hassle if you ask me.

[LongTail]

Shouldn't even have them fitted to the vehicle. Using them is a definite no-no. We may as well sticky this topic since there seem to be a lot of questins on this.

[adam12]

thanks guys for the good answers.
if i ever see an accident,ill put my ambers on.
as for the lightbar,it was fitted to the car when i brought it from the usa.just came out of service but they they me have all the equipment as it was comming to the uk.
the car is fitted will almost everything,incl fluresent jackets,with police,and sheriff on them.
anyway i would not use the lightbar on roads,only shows.
i do know other people use there lights on roads,but wont go into that,i always cover my bar up anyway.
thanks for all the info,and keep up the good work on this forum.
p.s. i also use the police car for charity events too.

[LongTail]

Just don't put on a jacket with "POLICE" on it...

[shadz]

the car is fitted will almost everything,incl fluresent jackets,with police,and sheriff on them.
anyway i would not use the lightbar on roads,only shows.
i do know other people use there lights on roads,but wont go into that,i always cover my bar up anyway.
thanks for all the info,and keep up the good work on this forum.
p.s. i also use the police car for charity events too.

ADAM12,

Good to hear that you use the vehicle for charity, however please be aware of the complications for yourself if you do stop at an accident if you are not a witness.  Ask yourself the question of "Am I a help or a hinderance here?".  If passers by see your vehicle they probably will just see the light bar and then look for the nearest flourescent jacket to ask for local GPS directions to their house which they have lived at for 20 years and don't know any other route home than the one they're trying to use throught the accident!

[Adam]

Police cars like this usually have a cover over the bars when on public roads to prevent temptation.  
Don't use them in any circumstances, you may find someone having a sense of humour failure with you!  

Also, be wary about assisting at the RTC, whilst i'd never critise someone wishing to help if you get yourself hurt then the officers attending are going to be even busier.  People have died assisiting in RTCs

[shadz]

Also, be wary about assisting at the RTC, whilst i'd never critise someone wishing to help if you get yourself hurt then the officers attending are going to be even busier.  People have died assisiting in RTCs

More police officers have died over recent years during RTC's than in any other form of duty.

[adam12]

thanks guys for the answers on here.
maybe its best to leave it to the pros.
what if i saw the accident and did nothing,and the police arrived somebody might say we saw a police car 10 mins ago he just drove off.
i dont want that to happen,i know i have a trauma kit in my car,its a med kit,and im first aid trained too,i know i cant realy do anything.
but would be nice to help people if they needed help.

[shadz]

thanks guys for the answers on here.
maybe its best to leave it to the pros.
what if i saw the accident and did nothing,and the police arrived somebody might say we saw a police car 10 mins ago he just drove off.
i dont want that to happen,i know i have a trauma kit in my car,its a med kit,and im first aid trained too,i know i cant realy do anything.
but would be nice to help people if they needed help.

ADAM12,

I appreciate your comments;  1) if you feel the absolute need to stop, AND IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, then do.  Place your vehicle in a position to give full access for emergency vehicles coming through and anticipate their route.  Your vehicle should be well clear of active lanes and should be far enough away that you do not cause further obstruction or injury should another car become involved whilst you are this RTC.    2) if you do not need to stop, then don't.  If you are stopping for any incident you risk becoming an additional casualty.  If you witnessed it, and don't need to stop, continue and call in to a police station later when convienient and advise the station of your details so it can be added to the accident book.

Please bear in mind that the number of police killed over the last few years is mainly in RTC's - and we're trained in how to deal with fast roads!

[Tigger]

Please bear in mind that the number of police killed over the last few years is mainly in RTC's - and we're trained in how to deal with fast roads!

We had an officer killed on the A1M a few years ago. We are not allowed to attend anything on a fast route unless we're major route trained. The crazy thing is most of the probbies, myself included have had the training, whereas some of the longer serving guys haven't, and can't attend.