What exactly do you know about any police light used today?

Given the importance of any law enforcement vehicles police light, shouldn’t we all know a little about them? You may think there is not much to know but it is quite an interesting subject with a wealth of history.

You will have seen a police vehicle or maybe highway patrol vehicle hurtling down the street at seeming breakneck speed to an emergency situation. Any police light used must be defined by each state and each state has a different requirement. The flashing blue strobe we are familiar with of old has been replaced by police light units that vary in flash pattern, contain take down lights and can also have traffic directors. There are police light units that are incredibly versatile and they are invaluable in any officer doing his job.

So, what of the history of police light? To answer that question you have to look at probably the oldest police organization set up in the US. The first organized police service was set up in Boston in 1838 closely followed by the New York in 1844. Probably the first police vehicle was an electric wagon run in Akron Ohio in 1899. Police vehicles have obviously come a long way since that time. The original vehicles would have had a rudimentary police light and siren, if anything at all, which would not have given much warning to people that they were approaching.

Police vehicles today need passive visual warnings, which are the markings on the exterior of the auto. Passive visual warnings will differ depending on jurisdiction and state. Different law enforcement agencies will need different markings on the vehicle. The markings on police vehicles will be vinyl and will be applied in a simple peel off backing which exposes the adhesive. Police vehicles also need active visual warnings and this is where police light unit will come in. The active visual warnings can be single strobes, LED light bars or beacons.

Along with the other warning methods, the majority of police vehicles need an audible warning. The audible warning is normally a siren, which alerts people to the presence of an emergency vehicle even in the event they can’t be seen. Many modern sirens can produce several sounds such as a wail or a yelp. Lights that police use in conjunction with other warnings are extremely effective on our roads and we should never ignore any type of warning whether it is visual or audible. Be a safe driver and observe any kind of ‘move over’ law that is in place in your state.

Police vehicles from their earliest days have given officers an important advantage in keeping our streets and ourselves safe. We do need to be grateful for our officers who risk their lives every day. police light units provide a safety function, which does help protect officers and other road users. Hazard warning, flashing beacons and light bars all have a place on modern day vehicles and police light units are an extremely important part of equipment on police vehicles. Be aware of any visual and audible warnings on any emergency vehicle, but especially a police vehicle.

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