A Complete Guide to Emergency Vehicle Lighting

If you are responsible for choosing emergency vehicle lights for your company, then you need to know what each color is designed to be used for. The most common color choices for first responders in the United States are red, blue, white, green, and amber, with red being the most used for emergency situations. 

Read on to discover everything you need to know about emergency vehicle light colors and how to choose the right one for your emergency vehicle. 

Blue emergency lights 

Blue emergency lights are typically used by police and other law enforcement vehicles. You also often see blue and red combinations for first responder units. 

In some states, blue lights are used in private vehicles when they are deploying to a firehouse or squad building in response to an emergency situation.

Red emergency lights 

As mentioned above, red is the most common color used to denote an emergency situation in the United States and is typically found mounted on fire trucks, police vehicles, and rescue squad cars. You often find red emergency lights paired with blue or white lights. 

It is worth noting that emergency lighting in the US can differ from the emergency vehicle lights UK vendors sell, as is the case with the rest of the world, too, so make sure you take this into consideration when making a purchase. 

Yellow or amber emergency lights 

Many states use amber lights on construction vehicles to showcase caution, as these types of vehicles tend to move slower than others on the road and can sometimes block traffic completely. 

Yellow and amber lights are also often seen on tow trucks and security patrol vehicles, as well as snowplows. In some states, yellow and red lights are used together on rescue squad vehicles. 

Green emergency lights 

In certain states, green emergency lights are used for mobile command posts, a fire chief’s car, or a volunteer firefighter’s vehicle. It is also used by Homeland Security and some private security agencies that are contracted to patrol government buildings. 

White emergency lights 

When combined with red and blue lights, white emergency lights are usually employed by ambulances, as well as police trucks and fire engines. White lights can also be used as rear-facing lights to make a more significant impact. 

Purple emergency lights 

The color purple is not often used for emergency vehicles but, instead, is most commonly found on funeral and coroner vehicles. However, this can vary from one state to another. Occasionally, you find purple emergency lights on medical service vehicles. 

Takeaway

Emergency lights are essential for all emergency service vehicles, helping to boost visibility and keep everyone safe at the scene of any emergency. There are lots of different emergency lights to choose from, with various colors as well as types of lights depending on your specific needs. 

When choosing emergency lights for your vehicle, always make sure that you choose a reputable supplier who has both the experience and expertise needed to help you make the right choice for your vehicle.