American Police Car - Use of Blues in an Emergency

[ST1100]

Theres lots of these questions coming up on police forums, where members of the public buy ex police cars do them up and goto shows to display them, PVEC being one such group of people, i can't see a problem with that, but why do they insist on having the lights fitted, i've even heard of them doing a road run in the west country with an ex police car using its blue lights on the public road....... :no:

ST1100

[Adam]

It'd be a bit crap having a retired polcie car with no blue lights.  After all a polce car with no lights is, well, it's just a car really!  
However, you've got to be responsible.  Get a cover over the lights that you can take off when at the show.  

Rear reds aren't really for rolling blocks, well, not any more than any other flashing light.   When doing rolling roads you put everything you can on to say 'look at me', blues, reds, hazards, arms out the window and then weave from lane to lane like your pissed as a judge!  Rear reds are more for hard shoulder stuff, when you're saying 'no need to look, just don't crash into me!'.  
Blues are for pulling cars and responding.

[SiWhite]

Would agree with above the rear reds, on thier own attract little attention to the vehicle, but at night driving up behind, one would hope you'd spot it was more that just someone in ya way!!

[inept]

EEErrrrr The fire appliances in my area have and have had (since i can remeber) flashing rear reds. Never really given it a second thought.

[Mark25]

As a member of PVEC and looking to own an ex traffic car,PVEC have very strict rules on how vehicles are taken to and from shows and events.
Without looking them up,i am sure that all blue lights and POLICE signs have to be covered up.
I will educate myself as and when i obtain my car!!

[adam12]

hi guys and girls.
why dont the police the same as in the usa
they have red/blue lightbars.
the red can be seen during the day and blue during night.
best of both worlds.

i have a nypd police car,which i brought from the nypd in jan 2006.
check out my site
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/nova2727/myhomepage/business.html

[Adam]

I think we should use different lights for responding than the oens for pulling cars.  What the colours should be i know nor. I just think if it was clear to people that we're not interested in them, we just want to get passed, they might not flap as much...

[Tigger]

A lot of people don't seem to see or know what to do when I'm sat out behind them with blues on, more colours would just confuse folks. I sat behind a post office transit last week for about 2 miles on the A14 with blues and twos, weaving in his mirrors, changing tones and alternating headlights nothing worked. He did look a tad sheepish when I went past eventually.

[Adam]

We did an experiement a while back.  Responding down a dual carriageway (2 lane).  We timed it with blue and twos and then just moving up behind and flashing our headlights.  It was quicker with just headlights.  
I attribute this to people panicking when they see the blues, they put down their mobile, drop their choccy bar and generally stop doing whatever they were doing at the time.  Then they think about getting out the way.  Glad though i am that they have done that, i'd prefer they just got the f*ck out of the way!  

As for changing tones, have you been told what the different tones are for?
By all means change them once or maybe even twice but if you keep changing them you defeat the object of having them...

A good trick is to get in the catch-and-match position and move to the offside so you get yourself in his offside wing mirror.

[crazyjim799]

im scared of Adam 12  :-?

only kidding , not my cup of tea but hey each to his own !!  :lol:

[adam12]

hey guys dont be scared,
i know my police car looks huge against your volvo
but i do like the volvo you guys drive
be safe ,and be seen

[shadz]

i think patrol cars should be fitted with air horns like the ones we've got in our car.  more effective when your travelling along dual carriageways - just move in behind with 360 strobes on, couple of headlamp flashes with a complimenting air horn results in a quick response from mr oblivious.

if you talk to your local ambulance service about becoming a first responder you would be able touse blue lights at a scene of accident

[Tigger]

Since when ? I have several nurse friends who are also first responders none are allowed blues and one has just been convicted of speeding enroute to a job.

Secondly who pays the insurance costs ?

Thirdly why would they be allowed blues and twos on a normal license when the rest of us have to complete a three week response driving course ?

[Adam]

The licence is irrelevant, i've completed numerous driving courses and still have the same licence as when i started.  The business of driver grades is policy, not law.

First responders would certainly be allowed to use blues at the scene of an accident, to warn other road users of their presence.  

Ambulance means a vehicle which:

(a) is constructed or adapted for, and used for no purpose other than, the carriage of sick, injured or disabled people to or from welfare centres or places where medical or dental treatment is given, and
(b) is readily identifiable as a vehicle used for the carriage of such people by being marked 'Ambulance' on both sides.

A vehicle is an exempt vehicle when it is being used or kept on a road by:

(a) a health service body (as defined in section 60(7) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990) or a health and social services body (Northern Ireland), or
(b) a National Health Service trust, or
(ba) an NHS foundation trust, or
(c) the Commission for Health Care Audit and Inspection, or
(d) a Primary Care Trust, or
(e) a Local Health Board or
(f) the Commission for Social Care Inspection

So if the First Responder scheme is being used in accordance with the above they would be exempt.  Internal policy would dictate what they are allowed to do.
It's the same argument as specials using blues.

I'm not commenting on quality of the idea, just the legality.