Indiana POV and lights

I am a volunteer firefighter in Indiana. Therefore allowed to run blue lights on my Personally Owned Vehicle (POV)with the exception of red/yellow to the rear. I have a red/yellow traffic advisor in rear window. I have had a roof top mini lightbar that has been given to me. When running lights I would have red and blue showing at the same time which is illigeal due to red/blue being law enforcement. Is there any way around this? I've looked into it but can't find anything online. Should I just get a blue traffic advisor?
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!!

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Permalink Reply by David Jatczak on August 16, 2016 at 9:43am

Mathew, I am also an Indiana Volunteer Firefighter and have been since 1979. There is an issue with having both red and blue warning lights operating and being confused with law enforcement. The key you need to keep in mind is if the blue lights and red lights in the same level or plain. From what I read in your quiestion they are not. Indiana State Law permits you to have the red flashing lights to the rear only. The next question I have for you is, Why do you need a Traffic Advisor light in the rear window, Do you respond directly to the scene or just to the station to man the apparatus? If you go to the scene, I can see where you need the traffic advisor warning lights. Your best bet would be to contact a law enforcement officer directly and ask them. Some officers will give you grief because they are not sure of the law. Your roof top Blue warning light is the best as it if visible 360 degrees around the vehicle. When responding most of the people you want to get attention from are in front of you and not behind, so the Traffic Advisor lights are not really needed (unless you are on the scene of a traffic crash). The fire department needs to have a good working relationship with the law enforcement officers in your area, so it would be best if you contact them. Most of the Officers I have delt with are willing to work with you as we are all working to protect the people in our community.

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Permalink Reply by Don McManis on August 31, 2016 at 10:37am

At one time long go we were able to to our POV with the blues only but no longer in Illinois (Chicago). When we could, we could not obviously run stops, lights and could not exceed the posted speed limit. The lights were simply "courtesy" lights. I have had many occasions where I would come to a light with the blues running and all traffic would stop so I would safely proceed through the light. Of course, there were more times when they did not stop so i waited!

Indiana POV and lights

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