Audible and Visual Warnings /

Two-tones and Blue Lights

Who is entitled to use a blue light?
As well as the Police, Fire and Ambulance services, the following are also permitted to carry and use blue lights when required:-

• Mines Rescue Service
• Mountain Rescue Teams
• Coastguard Service
• Bomb Disposal Teams
• Human Tissue for Transplant Vehicles
• National Blood Service
• Life Boat Launching Vehicles

Blue and Red Flashing Lights Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
Use permitted by emergency vehicles at the scene of any emergency, or when it is necessary or desirable either to indicate to persons using the road the urgency of the purpose or to warn people of the presence of the vehicle or a hazard on the road. Flashing Headlights The flashing mode of the flashing headlights must be turned off during the hours of darkness. The flashing unit should not be used during the hours when headlights are normally required.

Warning Devices – Audible and Visual Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

Use Of Audible Warning Devices Regulation 37(5)(a). Permits vehicles used for Fire Brigade, Ambulance or Police purposes to be fitted with a gong, bell, siren or two-tone horn. Continuous use may be justified in heavy traffic conditions; otherwise it may be necessary to use them only when other road users need to be warned of the presence of the vehicle.

Regulation 99(5)(a). Prohibits the use of audible warning instruments (eg: horns, gongs, bells, sirens or two-tone horns) on a vehicle which is stationary on a road, at any time, other than at times of danger due to another moving vehicle on or near the road, or on a vehicle in motion on a restricted road between 2330 hours and 0700 hours the following morning, except for a vehicle which is being used for one of the relevant purposes specified in Regulation 37(5) and it is necessary or desirable to do so either to indicate to other road users the urgency of the purposes for which the vehicle is being used, or to warn other road users of the presence of the vehicle on the road.

The use of audible warning devices is not permitted where:

• The vehicle is stationary, or when it is moving on a road between 11.30pm and 7.00am.
• However vehicles are not prevented from using the above when it is necessary or desirable to do so either to indicate to other road users the urgency of the purposes for which the vehicle is being used or to warn other road users of the presence of the vehicle on the road.

Most fire crews will exercise discretion in applying the use of such devices with due regard to the time of day or night.