Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by icvfd28 on December 12, 2007 at 9:23pm

I know that here in Indiana, the state code says:

IC 36-8-12-11
Blue lights on private vehicles; authorization; violations
Sec. 11. (a) Members of volunteer fire departments may display blue lights on their privately owned vehicles while en route to scenes of emergencies or to the fire station in the line of duty subject to the following conditions:
(1) A light must have a light source of at least thirty-five (35) watts.
(2) All lights must be placed on the:
(A) top of the vehicle;
(B) dashboard inside a vehicle, shielded to prevent distracting the driver; or
(C) front of the vehicle upon the bumper or at bumper level.
(3) No more than four (4) blue light assemblies may be displayed on one (1) vehicle, and each blue light assembly must be of the flashing or revolving type.
(4) A blue light assembly may contain multiple bulbs.
(5) A blue light may not be a part of the regular head lamps displayed on the vehicles. Alternately flashing head lamps may be used as a supplemental warning device. Strobe lights or flashers may be installed into the light fixtures on the vehicle other than the alternating head lamps. The strobe lights or flashers may be either white or blue, with the exception of red to the rear.
(b) In order for a volunteer firefighter to display a blue light on a vehicle, the volunteer firefighter must secure a written permit from the chief of the volunteer fire department to use the blue light and must carry the permit at all times when the blue light is displayed.
(c) A person who is not a member of a volunteer fire department may not display an illuminated blue light on a vehicle.
(d) A permittee of the owner of a vehicle lawfully equipped with a blue light may operate the vehicle only if the blue light is not illuminated.
(e) A person who violates subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) commits a Class C infraction. If the violator is a member of a volunteer fire department, the chief of the department shall discipline the violator under fire department rules and regulations.
(f) This section does not grant a vehicle displaying blue lights the right-of-way under IC 9-21-8-35 or exemption from traffic rules under IC 9-21-1-8. A driver of a vehicle displaying a blue light shall obey all traffic rules.
(g) This section shall not be construed to include a vehicle displaying a blue light and driven by a member of a volunteer fire department as an authorized emergency vehicle
(as defined in IC 9-13-2-6).

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.64. Amended by P.L.88-1990, SEC.4; P.L.2-1991, SEC.108; P.L.99-1991, SEC.4; P.L.1-1999, SEC.96; P.L.6-2001, SEC.1; P.L.153-2002, SEC.2.

Permalink Reply by Patrick Brock on December 12, 2007 at 9:28pm

thanks for the info.

Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on December 12, 2007 at 9:32pm

Sorry to tell you man but it is more than the NFPA....more like your State Laws....Each state is very specific as to what is and what isn't allowed...to include type of light...number of rotators, visibility, color and the limits of use.....Stay safe ...............Paul

Permalink Reply by Valarie on December 12, 2007 at 9:44pm

Definatley research carefully and be compliant. Just a hint, if you plan on traveling after you install your lights check the states you plan t travel to. If the fella that wrote you from Indiana came to SC he might have issues as ONLY police can run blue lights, fire ,rescue and ems run red paid or volunteer. good luck with your light set up.

Permalink Reply by Mary Ellen Shea on December 12, 2007 at 9:50pm

The code varies by state, and each one is different; some in small ways, others are more significant.
One area that seems to remain constant is that blue lights give NO special traffic privlege. You do not have the right to run counter to traffic regulations, nor should you, for the safety of your fellow travelers and yourself.

Permalink Reply by ee779 on December 13, 2007 at 12:14am

All the replies so far are exactly right on the money! Before buying lights for your vehicle, stop at your local state representative's office. Ask for a copy of the motor vehicle codes regarding emergency responders. They will point you in the right direction.