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Advice For Vehicle Lighting
I know a lot of users of this forum don't condone or like the use of emergency lights on personal vehicles, but whatever.
My question is pertaining to some new lights I am looking to purchase for the deck end of my car. I already have two, but they're very cheap and not that bright (especially for daytime use). I found a couple of new lights I want installed, but I have two questions:
1.) I want to mount these on the bottom of the back window. Should either A.) Mount them closer to the middle brake light, or B.) Mount them more towards the outer ends of the back window? I have a regular car, not an SUV or anything.
and...
2.) I am getting the following colors in this order: blue, white, red, amber. I am getting two units, and each unit is divided into two colors. Which colors do you think would do best together? I was thinking blue/amber and then red/white would be good, but I want to hear your opinions.
Thanks in advance.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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Andrew...I see from your profile that you are in NY...you best check the Vehicle and traffic laws first...You (as fire) are ONLY authorized to display BLUE lights...Must be visible 360 degrees and only have one light source...You need authorization from your Chief and are supposed to carry a "Blue Light Card" Yes, there is such a thing...I can get the form ## if you need it for you..The only people authorized to display Red lights are Chiefs...You cannot mix colors...white and or amber are no-no's...EMS may use Green lights with the same restrictions...The State Troopers have been very lenient in the past BUT they are getting a little fed up with wackers running all the lights and driving like idiots..we have already been warned (all Departments not just ours) that tickets will be written for traffic violations esp speeding regardless of lights or not...a few are going to make this difficult..have seen it coming...so check the V&T laws before you decorate your car.....Stay safe...Keep the Faith....Paul
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Permalink Reply by Andrew on
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Thanks Paul.
I know the V&T law pertaining to the state of New York. I also know that we're allowed ONE blue light, however in my area these laws aren't followed persay. We work very well with the police and they don't seem to care, as long as there's no red being projected forward from the vehicle (which is mandated for police/fire only).
I'm not really scared about getting tickets, as police officers have seen my current light setup and haven't gotten mad. I've even been complimented by them.
But I appreciate your concern, Paul. Thank you.
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ffchick,
That's why I am purchasing new lights to add to these dimmer lights currently installed on my deck. These new lights are much higher quality.
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Just a note....Really doesn't affect me a bit.....Decorate it like a Christmas tree...it entertains the Jakes the way some newbies light up their cars...Laws are meant to be followed and all it takes is for one pissed off LEO and all hell breaks out...I know....You already know all about that
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FF chick....I Have a mini-bar I got from LED outfitters and it has worked great from day one....
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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Andrew, I see that you profile lists:
Top Issues Facing Responders:
Carelessness of other drivers, lack of courtesy by other drivers.
I also see that you have been in the fire service for 1 year. My advice, sit on this for a few months. Talk to your chief and other officers and find out what they think about emergency lights in POVs. If you are breaking the law with your setup, they will be likely to be the burden of issues that arise. Make no mistake about it, you are acknowledging that you would be BREAKING THE LAW. You are also making this acknowledgement in a public way. There may be times to stand up for your beliefs, but you are doing this at the expense of your department's reputation. When you have your lights on, people are watching your every move. Given enough time, speeding, lane changes, intersection violations are going to catch up to you.
I took the time to find these, so please read the following articles before you make any purchase, and ask yourself what you would do if you ended up in these people bunkers.
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/108493
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/42111
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/41262
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/37376
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www.ledoutfitters.com I believe this is corrct or just google led outfitters....I just checked this IS correct...strobesnmore also has some good dependable products
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Permalink Reply by Brian Mackie on
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Matthew : high-five!
Somehow I get the feeling its not gonna happen though! The worst of the worse! Newbie, and appears to know way more than anyone! and doesn't seem to care about the law!
Very dangerous combination!
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The website I buy from is www.extremetacticaldynamics.com
I've done some shopping around, and they have the best prices for quality products. I've had their LED Quad for awhile and it works perfectly. If I were to order a similiar product from Galls it would have easily costed over double ETD's price.
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Thank you for your concern, Matthew.
Not that it is a HUGE difference, but I have been in for a little over 2 years now. I don't update my profile very often.
As stated in my profile, I believe that carelessness and lack of courtesy by other drivers are a huge problem, but I have learned this not only by driving in my POV, but by driving on the ambulance on many of our EMS runs, and by merely riding to fire calls where people have blocked intersections, not moved out of the way, and were blatantly uncourteous (and this is with the sirens, Q, and airhorn running).
I do know the rules of the road and what to do while engaged in emergency mode. I always drive with Due Regard and I almost NEVER go through red lights. If I do, however, I don't run right through it - I make sure that I am seen by other drivers, gauge their speed to ensure that they're breaking or coming to a complete stop, and continue ONLY if it's completely safe. Like I said, Due Regard is the biggest thing. And yes, of course, I've seen the stereotypical light-happy people that you may be thinking of. They like an array of bright colors just because it looks pretty or cool. My take on emergency lighting is completely different - I believe it's for safety reasons. In today's world where people are busy talking on their cell phones or texting, playing with an array of electronic equipment in their car, or doing some other crazy activity (I've seen women doing make-up while driving on the highway), having more eye-catching lights, in my mind, helps warn drivers that I, or any other "emergency" vehicle (POV or not) are coming.
Now, technically putting these lights in my car may be stretching the law, and I understand that. However, there are MUCH worse examples that I have seen merely driving on the island (including red light bars). I would never project red in the front of my car, just as a police officer may not project blue in the front of their car (in NY state). However, when it comes to the rear of the vehicle the officers don't care that much around here. I know in other areas that officers and EMS/Fire personnel don't work well together, or may collide hears once in awhile, but that's not really the case here. We work very well together, and we have a mutual respect as we know that we need to work together - not for only our sanity, but for the better of the community.
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Brian,
You're making it seem as if I am barreling down a side street clocked at 80 mph trying to get a a cat in tree call.
This simply is not the case, and I always exercise due regard when operating any emergency vehicle. I can see where your logic is coming from, but please - judge this on an individualistic basis.
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But your POV is NOT an Emergency Vehicle and you should not be in "Emergency Mode" driving it to a call...the lights on your POV is a method of saying..."I am going to an emergency, may I get through?" They are merely coutesy lights and give you NO rights whatsoever....no one HAS to give you right of way, pull over for you or even allow you to pass...You cannot disregard any traffic control device nor can you exceed the speed limit....Have you taken EVOV yet...? Even Fire Apparatus and Ambulances can only disregard certain things and only with "due regard" in English that means if someone gets hurt or you are involved in an accident then you are wrong...regardless...Been there done that...as a Safety Officer I can tell you first hand what happens...it isn't pretty...and by the way sorry about your experience comment...I didn't realize that you had 2 whole years in......makes a lot of difference......(not really) If you aren't trained yet what is the "emergency" anyways..are you in a hurry to watch..?
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