Which vehicles are permitted to use blue light bars?
The right to use blue lights is regulated by § 52 of the German road traffic regulations (StVO). All light bars in blue must be ECE-R65 approved. § 38 StVO regulates circumstances where blue flashing lights are allowed to be used. Emergency vehicles are allowed to use lightbars in blue. Blue flashing lights indicate that a vehicle has special rights when responding to an emergency. Blue lights are used by the following authorities and organisations:
- Police
- Fire brigade
- Ambulance and rescue service
- Relief agencies
- Civil protection
- Armed forces
When responding to emergencies, a light bar in blue combined with an acoustic warning signal (siren) indicates that the vehicle has right of way. ‘Right of way’ means that all other road users must immediately give way to the emergency vehicle. According to § 38 of the StVO, this combination of blue flashing light and siren may only be used in specific cases, e.g., to avert danger, to save human lives or to pursue criminals.
Why blue? Blue light stands out from the other colours of light commonly used in road traffic, such as white, amber, red and green. Blue light offers a physical advantage in that it scatters well, so it can be seen from a greater distance than other colours.
Blue lightbars on police vehicles
All police emergency vehicles are fitted with light bars in blue. They often also use a siren when responding to emergencies. Other road users then know to give way to the emergency vehicle to allow it to reach the scene as quickly as possible.
Emergency blue lights for firefighters
Like the police, the volunteer fire brigade and the professional fire brigade use exclusively blue light bars. The blue lights indicate that the site is the scene of an emergency. Combined with an emergency siren, blue lights tell other road users to give way to the fire brigade so they can reach the scene as quickly as possible.
When are blue lightbars used?
The use of blue light in road traffic is regulated and described by law. Vehicles with blue lights but no siren warn road other users, for example, of
- General danger areas
- Running red lights
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
- And driving in other areas where driving is prohibited by the StVZO
When a vehicle has blue lights and a siren, it has right of way over other vehicles. Road users must adapt their driving behaviour to allow the emergency vehicle to pass through safely. Vehicles use blue lights and a siren in the following situations:
- To save lives
- To prevent serious damage to health
- To avert threats to public safety and order
- To pursue criminals trying to evade the police
- To save property and equipment that is at risk
Ways to create blue light
There are two ways to create blue light.
Firstly, it can be produced by LEDs. Modern and popular LED technology used in blue LED lightbars offers the option of using coloured lights that emit a blue light, for example through a neutral cover.
Secondly, blue light can be created by using a blue cover. Unlike blue LED lightbars, with this method, it doesn't matter which lighting technology is used. Many fire brigade and police emergency vehicles use light bars with a blue cover so that they are effective even when the light is switched off.
Buy blue light bars and blue LED lightbars in the ProLux online shop
In our online shop you will find a comprehensive range of beacon lights and lightbars in various lengths and heights at attractive prices, including a selection of light bars in blue. In addition to the models listed in the online shop, many amber light bar models are also available in blue. Ask us about your requirements!
Blue lightbar
Blue lightbars give out an essential warning signal on the road and play a key role in road safety. They are mainly used by the police, fire brigade, ambulance and rescue services to get through traffic quickly and safely in an emergency. Light bars in blue signal to other road users that a vehicle has a special right of way. The distinctive blue light also gives oncoming traffic plenty of warning of the scene of an accident or hazard. The blue light in our blue light bars is generated by a combination of proven rotor technology and a blue cover. All emergency vehicle lightbars are ECE-R65 or ECE-R10 approved.