running lights to a call

Runnin lights to a call in your POV a big help or a waste of money

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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on January 31, 2009 at 10:30pm

Depends on whether it's a "true emergency" and whether the driver shows "due regard" for those they share the road with.

They are trying to make a law that forbids tankers/Tenders from having lights and sirens on them and we are still talking about POV's?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Smith on January 31, 2009 at 10:34pm

POVs do lights really move traffic when rolling to a real emergency or just a traffic hazard cause people think they can run blue or reds and can disregard traffic laws

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Permalink Reply by turk182 on January 31, 2009 at 10:35pm

The lights on POV'S are just curtesy lights people do not have to pull over for those who use them. And you still have to follow all speed limits and traffic signs.

They might help if the people let you by but that is the only way.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Smith on January 31, 2009 at 10:39pm

in my POV i have a little blue LED light in the window and i have a twin rotator halogen light on my roof and they get traffic movin for me but i only run them for MVAs and Fires

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Permalink Reply by John on February 1, 2009 at 1:23am

I think both only because most people do not get out of the way for the regular apparatus, but there are those that do, so yes it is helpful but at same time its a waste when people do not yield to the lights and sirens. Had one just today that had I not stopped we would have probably booted his car into the next county with the engine.

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Permalink Reply by Joey "BigShow" De Piano on February 1, 2009 at 1:32am

depends how strictly your PD will help enforce your right as a responding first responder..if your laws are set and a person does not yield you can take their tag the time the date and location and report them..other wise your on your own and either way..you can't speed and must stop at all crossings no pass on right so on

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on February 1, 2009 at 4:29am

There's been some good research done over the years that has questioned the whole lights and sirens thing for any vehicles, not just POV's.

The time actually saved is negligable, which makes sense when you consider most trucks can't even hit the top posted speed limit, so the time saved is often only at traffic lights, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Jared Lelaidier on February 1, 2009 at 2:54pm

Yes they move traffic but not everyone moves over no matter what you are driving . I live about four miles from my station and only one stoplight along the way I feel it does help me get through that light though because its has some decent traffic at times so I just pull up stop and wait till they all stop and then go. Also if its a MVA that is between my house and the station my car with the lights can easily be used to block traffic. Just drive like everyone is going to pull out or freak out.

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Permalink Reply by Kenneth Holley on February 1, 2009 at 3:26pm

Ask your insurance company what they think first. Your payment might go up depending on the company. All i know is that it would be pretty embrassing and stupid for your department to have to respond to two incidents at the same time and you hasppen to be one of them.

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Permalink Reply by sully on February 1, 2009 at 3:43pm

I THINK IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT HANDLES THINGS. WHERE I COME FROM. ON A EMS OR AN MVA OR A FIRE, THERE IS ALMOST 90% THEIR IS GOING TO BE A COP AROUND TO KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DRIVERS WHO DONT YEILD FOR ARE EMERGENCY TRUCKS. THE Y GET A BIG FINE WHERE I COME FROM. MOST OF ARE TRUCKS ARE PRETTY BIG SO IF THEY DON'T WANT TO BE INT HE BUMPER OF THE PUMPER THEN GET THE HELL OUT OF MY DAMN WAY PEOPLE.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Kusterer on February 1, 2009 at 4:06pm

I find that they help with moving traffic to an extent, I have a red/white LED light in my windshield under the rear view mirror, most people move out of the way. It does increase risk especially if someone has new light syndrome.... If you are responsible, follow the laws, and use due regard, having a light can benefit you in getting to the station in a timely manor.

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Permalink Reply by Liz on February 1, 2009 at 4:33pm

I grew up in a town where firefighters were allowed to run lights and sirens to calls. I am now volunteering for a department where you are not allowed to run lights pov. I beleive that it is a waste of money and is a huge financial risk for both the department and the individual who is driving. We all know that when the tones drop, the adrenaline begins to flow. With that and the rise in pov/fire/ems accidents, I feel that there are much better ways to spend money.