Purchasing Emergency Vehicle Lighting – What You Need to Know
Staying safe on the road is essential for all vehicles. Emergency vehicles must always be seen; to aid visibility, good lighting is crucial. On some vehicles, lighting must be on (static) even if the vehicle is not involved in an emergency. When running and operating an emergency vehicle, you will need to think carefully about the extra lighting you use or feature. You must be fully aware of why you need lights, where they should be placed, and the type needed for your particular vehicle and profession.
What Regulations and Legislation You Must Adhere to
Firstly, you must consider what legislation and regulations you must adhere to. For example, on the motorway, are you required to display your lights or have them with you (perhaps in the glove box or in storage in the rear of the vehicle)? If you are unsure about which legislation you must adhere to, take a moment to contact the local authorities or get in touch with your insurance provider. Getting as much information as you can is crucial to ensure you always stay legal and safe.
What Colour Lights do You Require?
Emergency vehicles can have (and display) different coloured lights. You need to know what colour lights you require (and why). For instance, does your vehicle need to have a static, amber-coloured light displayed, or perhaps even a Flashing beacon? Do you need to have clear LED lights? The colour of the lights you use must not interfere with or imitate those of state-run services. For example, you must not try and copy or imitate a vehicle such as a police vehicle (even by accident), so ensure you know the colour of lights you need.
How Much You Should Be Setting Aside
Purchasing lights for your emergency vehicle does not have to break the bank but purchasing substandard lighting means you will end up buying a product more times than you need to. You must set aside enough to purchase and install the lights or set aside enough for professional installation (if lights need to be hard-wired into your vehicle’s electrics). Lights that adhere to regulations are not expensive to purchase just ensure you purchase lights from reputable and trusted manufacturers and suppliers. If you are buying cheaper (lower end) lights, then you may find that they let you down when you need them the most.
The Number of Lights You Require
It might sound silly, but do you know how many lights your vehicle will require? When you are purchasing emergency lighting for your vehicle, you need to make sure that you buy the correct amount for each vehicle. You may be inadvertently breaking the law if you find that you are short on the number of lights you require. Reach out to insurers and those who specialise in your industry to establish how many lights you require and where they should be positioned. You also want to ensure you purchase enough to cover spares and repairs, so you don’t have a vehicle out of action while waiting for a replacement.
