I need a real answer

[AngelEyes]

Ok so I am doing a project on police lights for a college course i am taking. Can you tell me (if there is a reason) why the blue light is on top of the passenger side and the red in on the driver side. Also why are there 2 different colored lights and why red and blue? ;)

[scott715us]

Ok so I am doing a project on police lights for a college course i am taking. Can you tell me (if there is a reason) why the blue light is on top of the passenger side and the red in on the driver side. Also why are there 2 different colored lights and why red and blue? ;)

The arrangement of lights differs from state to state. On your first question, as far as I know, one color doesn't necessarily have to be on one side of the car. It was just the way the light bar was put on top of the car. As far as lighting, blue does not always signify law enforcement. It does primarily in the south. But there are other areas in the U.S. where red is the primary color for police. In TN (where I'm from), a combination of red and blue or just blue is what police officers use. Red lights only are for firefighters, rescue squads, EMS, etc. Hope this helps. ;)

[samseed101]

In Maine, we use all blue lightbars for Police, and a combo of Red / White for fire / rescue.

[acreature]

The way I understand it is the same premise as red and green lights for a boat....... For the departments that actually use the dual color lights, it's so you know whether theyare coming or going. But it can vary from Dpet to Dept as to which side the red and blue are on.

But, alas, I use one single color.

[P01IC3M4N]

in Texas, it doesn't matter which side. as long as you at least use red, it doesn't matter either.

red is brighter during the day, blue is brighter at night, which is why almost everyone utilizes those colors.

[AngelEyes]

Wow you guys rock!!! Thank you for all of the great responses! makes me wanna do a jig!

[P01IC3M4N]

where are our blues and twos guys at?

[Babysmamadrama]

In the state of Missouri, to be considered an emergency vehicle, the vehicle must have a combination of red and blue lights.

It's it an interesting question and I can only surmise is that is done to catch the eye both night and day.

[Nuklhed]

I dont know why the blue is on one side and the red is on the other.. I know our department keeps it uniform, always on the same side.

In California, A police vehicle must have a single red light to the front that must be visible from 1000 feet, something like that.. I dont remember the number exactely, but that is why we use red lights. But it doesnt say anything about blue.. Oh well, I hope that helped, but probably not.. ;)

[mcsap]

In PA, red only can be the state police , fire or ambulance vehicles.

Red and blue is municipal police or Fire Police ( captain -Lt.)

Blue only means a VOLUNTEER firefighter, ambulance crew member. BLue lighters have NO authority to run red lights , speed etc. You do not have to pull over for a blue lighter.

[acreature]

NC = Blue, or Blue and Red is LE Only. Red is Fire and EMS

Red only is also Volunteer EMTs and Firefighters (minus the siren and cannot have wig wags) (Cannot speed, blow lights and don't have to be yielded to.)

[scott715us]

Red or combination of red/white are EMS and fire in TN. Volunteers can have full emergency equipment and can respond just as an agency vehicle in their personal vehicle, but the insurance is very high to cover the folks. As Asst. Chief of a rescue squad (aside from my paid LEO job), my vehicle is equipped with lights and siren. Basically everything that meets the TN state code on emergency vehicle response.

The problem I have seen in the county I volunteer in and other counties is that volunteers have limited equipment on their vehicle and attempt to run "emergency traffic" to the scene. They do not realize or have not been informed (I guess) that if the vehicle does not meet state code (lights 360 degrees and audible siren), they are not within the right to use their vehicle as an emergency response unit. Most of the volunteer FD's in the county I am referring too are pretty strict and the emergency response is limited to the Chief/Asst.Chief and one or two Captains. But there are some agencies way out in the rural areas where every FF is slappin a red teardrop light in the dash and haulin *** to the scene of everything they can. It will eventually take a wreck and a solid lawsuit I imagine before the problem is corrected. I kind of got on a soapbox, sorry. ;)

[Sleuth]

There was study done, which found that blue is more visable at night, as it does not blend in with regular tail lights.

[AngelEyes]

Ok am doin mah Jig *Dancin around to the beat in my head, shakin my hips* WOOHOO!!!! This is funn wanna dance with me?:P

[acreature]

Huh?