Allows fire vehicles to display a combination of red, white and/or blue lights for rear projection only

BILL NUMBER:S5593A

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to allowing fire vehicles to display a combination of red, white and/or blue lights for rear projection only

Purpose

To protect volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders by requiring motorists to reduce speed when approaching and passing emer- gency situations on a highway and also to allow for the use of the blue light for rear projection for all volunteer emergency response vehicles.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Subdivision (e) of section 1180 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 211 of the laws of 2004 is amended by this legislation to require drivers to drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and passing an emergency situation involving any authorized emergency vehicle displaying a blue light or one or more red or combination red, white or blue lights.

Section 2. Paragraph 4 of subdivision 41 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 45 of the laws of 2006 is amended to allow a blue light to be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department provided that the volunteer fire- fighter has been authorized, in writing, to do so by the chief of the fire department or company of which he/she is a member.

The term "fire vehicle" is defined to include a vehicle ordinarily oper- ated by a chief or assistant chief of a volunteer company or fire department.

Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

Volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders regularly attend to emergency incidents on state's highways. Performing emergency duties on the side of the road presents significant risks to emergency respon- ders. Unfortunately, in these situations, many emergency responders (including volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers) are killed or injured as a result of being struck by a passing motorist. Studies have shown that the blue light is the most noticeable colored light, and as a result, provides the highest level of safety.

Current law allows for one or more blue lights or combination of blue, red and/or white lights to be affixed to a police vehicle provided that they are displayed for rear projection only. Volunteer firefighters have long had the exclusive use of one blue light that was affixed to a motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family. The light was allowed

to be displayed or projected in 360 degree fashion. Use of the light was prohibited in combination with red lights on all fire vehicles.

Studies conducted by Ford Motor Company and the Florida Highway Patrol, clearly indicated that the perception-decision-response process in driv- ing, especially at night favored the blue light over other colors particularly when approaching from the rear. This bill would extend the perceptual advantage attributed to the blue light in certain circum- stances, now enjoyed by police vehicles, to all volunteer emergency vehicles. It allows the blue light use for rear projection purposes and leaves in place the exclusive use of the blue light by volunteers on personal vehicles to be projected in 360 degree fashion.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.