Do lights attract people?

[mcknis]

Lately, I have been noticing that when conducting a traffic stop that the traffic tends to be attracted to the emergency lights. Have you found this to be true as well? I found that especially at night, traffic tends not to move as far over to the left and not go as slow as they do in the daytime.

Just curious as to what you have found.

[Mike Romeo]

I've heard it referred to as "rubbernecking" here. A lot of it going on on I-64 at the bridge tunnels around here and along all the construction areas. People will slow down for ANY flashing lights just to see what's going on. Unless you know the side roads, you're screwed.

[Piggy]

I don't know if there are any CHP officers on the forum but maybe someone else from California will be able to confirm this. I heard several years ago that CHP had a policy that after you stop a car on a freeway, the lights get shut off with the exception of hazard lights or a rear yellow flashing light. It was because of the traffic problems caused by emergency lights. Anyone have any info?

[michiganstud]

I feel that too many lights at a scene tend to blind people and confuse people. They are concentrating too hard on not hitting anything.

[Whitewolf1970]

I've heard it referred to as "rubbernecking" here. A lot of it going on on I-64 at the bridge tunnels around here and along all the construction areas. People will slow down for ANY flashing lights just to see what's going on. Unless you know the side roads, you're screwed.

ARgh! We have a lot of rubbernecking drivers on this California freeways...they tend to slow down so they can see what happen...all turn out to be just a cop giving a ticket to a driver...<sigh> no accidents..nothing. Some drivers are stupid. I remember one cop, on the freeway after he gave a ticket to the driver, was soo angry, he waved his ticketbook to tell the drivers to MOVE IT! Thanks to him, I wasn't late to my class b/c of some stupid drivers! Even when there is an accident, the rubbernecking drivers still tend to slow down and gawk at the scene. Or disabled vehicles. <sigh>

[Whitewolf1970]

I don't know if there are any CHP officers on the forum but maybe someone else from California will be able to confirm this. I heard several years ago that CHP had a policy that after you stop a car on a freeway, the lights get shut off with the exception of hazard lights or a rear yellow flashing light. It was because of the traffic problems caused by emergency lights. Anyone have any info?

Often, I see CHP officers have their siren lights on during freeway stop. Some have their own preferences either to have siren lights on or just the rear yellow flashing lights/hazard lights, it didn't make any difference about whether it will cause the traffic flow problem. Some drivers still are rubbernecking no matter what. I've been on freeways every since I got my DL and watch them but never rubbernecking. All people need to do about the traffic problem is to stop rubbernecking at the scenes.

[Rad Diver]

you would love me on traffic control at an accident! I'm yelling focus, amongst other phrases, and I use the two finger's towards my eyes :eek:

[corporal716]

I don't know if there are any CHP officers on the forum but maybe someone else from California will be able to confirm this. I heard several years ago that CHP had a policy that after you stop a car on a freeway, the lights get shut off with the exception of hazard lights or a rear yellow flashing light. It was because of the traffic problems caused by emergency lights. Anyone have any info?

I didn't work for CHP, but while working patrol in California we used to leave the soid red and spot lights on, but turn off the other over head lights except the rear ambers. From what I have seen CHP still operates like that. But not all agencies do.

[Ranger__101]

With the new technologies in lights such as LED's drivers can be blinded at night.

I suspect in a few years the Department of Transportation will come out with some new guidelines for emergency lights at night and or incliment weather.

I was almost blinded by a squad car at night. The vehicle had a full LED light bar, two led bars in the rear window along with strobe lights in the tail and turn lights.

Having too much light can actually lead to a more dangerous situation then not having enough light. I would hate to see Officers injured during traffic accidents at night due to the fact other drivers were blinded by the emergency lights and could not see the officer or not able to see traffic due to temporary being blinded by the bright lights.

[michiganstud]

Take an accident for instance. Tonight we had a major 4 car accident with serious trauma. Glass everywhere, parts....you know the deal.

There were 5 police cars there, two ambulances, a few rescue squads and at one point 2 wreckers. ALL HAD every light on! Throw in a couple "ooh ahh squads" who stop to look at the accident and you have total chaos.

Someone actually complained there was too much light, and that they couldn't see where to go. A few of us shut off our rotators and just went flashers.....things calmed down a lot.

Too many lights can be too complicated. MOST drivers can barely get around my SINGLE car, let alone 5.

[Piggy]

Directing traffic is so much fun. I've always said if I ever shoot someone it will be directing traffic.

Nothing is better than having a line of flares, cones, squad with flashing lights and Officers in a traffic vest blocking off the road.....and there is always that one jack*&& that has to pull up and say "Uh, can I get through???"

[Ghost 1]

Directing traffic is the one thing that will absolutely make me lose my mind. :eek:

[mcsap]

I can kinda understand when a utility worker flags traffic and people don't understand but when a uniformed officer is doing it and people STILL don't pay attention.

Let's just say it calls for some yelling.

[JD45]

I don't know if there are any CHP officers on the forum but maybe someone else from California will be able to confirm this. I heard several years ago that CHP had a policy that after you stop a car on a freeway, the lights get shut off with the exception of hazard lights or a rear yellow flashing light. It was because of the traffic problems caused by emergency lights. Anyone have any info?

CHP actually did a study on this. They found that intoxicated drivers were attracted to the ambers usually displayed to the rear. As someone else mentioned, its like light for a mosquito. From personal experience, I can tell you this is true. I was on a stop, issuing a cite and a DUI driver locked up his brakes, laid down about 75' of skid and left about 3' from my face and his side mirror on his Jeep. He was watching those mesmerizing flashing lights to the rear of my car.

You will most always see CHP with their hazard lights on, and only additional lighting to the front, ie spot light, take down. I'm the same way now.