Non emergency vehicle lights (red and blue)

[Copper01]

I was driving home tonight. As I topped a hill on NW 36th I spotted red and blue flashing lights. So, as I'm supposed to do, I begin to slow down and pull over to the right. Once I get to a point I can see all of the vehicle, I see that its a wrecker in road.

I've started noticing this. When did non emergency vehicles get the ability to use red and blue lights? Besides this wrecker I've noticed more and more road construction vehicles using the same. Back in the day I was always told that only emergency vehicles were allowed to have red and blues on top.

I don't like it. It's fine for those guys to have yellow warning lights. I want to be able to readily identify an emergency vehicle with its lights on so I know that I need to get out of the way.

 

[338Shooter]

It used to be illegal, but something must have changed. The road crews went to red/blue what seemed like over night.

 

[langston302]

It is legal for them to be in use for tow trucks and road crews like ODOT and city trucks as long as they are not in motion. rear facing only

 

[ef9turbo]

Beat me to it.

 

[mr ed]

Nobody pays attention to the yellow lights. But they will sure slow down for the red & blue. Might keep a few road workers from getting killed.

 

[crimeftr]

The wrecker business has some influence with the lawmakers...IIRC the original law was changed to where they could drive down the road with the red and blues activated. Then the troopers raised a little cain so the senators changed the law. Now they can only use them while they are stationary.

 

[dieseltech09]

It is legal for them to be in use for tow trucks and road crews like ODOT and city trucks as long as they are not in motion. rear facing only

That changes Nov 1st of this year:

Tow trucks can use them only while on the scene of an emergency.
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=437558

After 11-1 -2010 road crews can no longer use red and blue lights.
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=82409

. Flashing amber lights may be used on vehicles or machinery owned or operated by any agency of the state or by any county or city when engaged in the performance of emergency work or on the construction or maintenance of highways

heres the old one thats going out


http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=460009

 

[redneck1861]

Non-emerengcy vehicles can have red and blue, in the rear, they just cant have any foward facing red and blue

 

[dieseltech09]

Non-emerengcy vehicles can have red and blue, in the rear, they just cant have any foward facing red and blue

Read my previous post

 

[Isha's Pa Pa]

It is legal for them to be in use for tow trucks and road crews like ODOT and city trucks as long as they are not in motion. rear facing only

They dont have to be rear facing only on a Wrecker !
And Wreckers are considered Emergency vehicles now !
And they are also included in the new move over law on the highways and roads ! And why shouldn't they be they go the accident scenes and load up cars clean up the mess .