I was just wondering what the laws of your state say for POV's to have emergency lights and sirens. I live in Maine where we have very strict laws in reference to POV's and emergnecy lights, you can have two red or white lights in the grill OR 1 in the window if it is not obstructing your view. You have no special laws for responding and people do NOT have to pull over for you if they dont want. Also your not aloud sirens. I've been giving thought to moving to another state and I am hoping to see about your local rules and regulations.
Permalink Reply by Todd on January 25, 2009 at 7:43pm
Ask and ye shall recieve Tommy.
Matt, you are totally wrong on Lexington County Policy. Authorized emergency vehicles are allowed to respond emergent with any light and siren combination that meets SC State Code 56-5-4700 and 56-5-4970. The Lexington County policy is spelled out in plain english here
Section XV. Nowhere does it state you can only use them on scene.
Now, there are individual stations that may prohibit lights, or limit them to on-scene warning only, but Lexington County itself allows them as long as you meet State Code and County SOP.
Well my whole deal on this is if you are responding in your POV with lights and all YOU are sticking your neck out for a law suit. Granted I am on a paid department but also work as a volley on the side. I do not have lights on my POV even though they are allowed in my state. I just assume take my time and get there in one piece and not put anyone in danger. Sad thing is I have seen guys going like a bat out of hell for a brush fire. No need for that much speed brothers and sisters.
Permalink Reply by Josh on January 26, 2009 at 9:00pm
In michigan our laws are not that strict. When having lights on your POV you can run all red or red and white lights. When having lights you have to have a 360 degree view of at least one light. You also have to have a siren. The state says when emergency lights are on you have to have your siren on as well. In order for you to get lights on your POV you have to take a emergency driving course with a written and driving course.
This law hasn't changed substantially since the 40's. Has traffic? The Maine lawmakers have the heads so far in a dark spot it isn't funny considering about 92%of the State of Maine is protected by VOLUNTEERS. Ignorant law.
You think your laws are strict I live in Indiana where we run blue lights and NO SIRENS we are allowed to have only 4 sets which if you have a full size bar that counts as 2 we up until 2 years ago are now allowed to run wigwags our DO NO WRONG INDIAN STATE POLICE will even write you a ticket if you are in violation if you are in the wrong they will even do it on an emergency scene, Oh yeah now for the best part running a blue light as a volunteer fireman on your pov does not make you an emergency vehicle and you must obey all traffic laws that means stop at all traffic lights until green if you got it worse than this I would love to here about it.
Permalink Reply by JPB on February 15, 2009 at 4:34pm
Any Blue light in New York that has a speaker grille or clear light in the middle, is considered two lights, and is not allowed.
I don't think you can get a 32 to 50 candlepowered light anyway, unless you tape a flashlight to your car.
According to revisions, blue lights are used on the rear of Police cruisers, and are only to be used in conjunction with an emergency response or a traffic stop.
To advise: when responding to an incident, and you approach a red traffi
Blue light carriers are not allowed a siren or electronic horn, and if you serve the public as some level and required to carry an amber light, and possess a blue light, you cannot use both.
For years Legislation has been trying to remove blue lights from our use..
When approaching a red traffic light, shut your blue light off, you can't go through unless directed by Law enforcement..
In the "Great State" = ( of New York Volunteer Fire Run Blue Lights And drivers DO NOT Have to pull over oh no and the people of new york know it and they don't you could have hundreds of lights and horn siren going and in fact SLOW DOWN some OTHER FIREMEN do pull over