How Ambulance Lights Save Lives

When an emergency vehicle is approaching, what do you notice first -- the lights or the sirens? Sirens are loud, but unless you’re close to the squad and driving slowly, chances are you won’t hear them. Or if you do hear them, how do you know which direction the sirens are coming from? Surprisingly, lights are far more effective at alerting drivers to an oncoming ambulance.

Ambulance lighting varies greatly among manufacturers, emergency departments and from state to state. Some states have restricted blue lights solely to snow plows and road crew vehicles. In other states, all medical and fire emergency vehicles use blue lights. Each state maintains its own regulations, so it’s important to stay alert when travelling. With all the differences, one thing all first responders can attest to is the importance of a quality lighting system when minutes make the difference between life and death.

The purpose of ambulance lights is to get the attention of people, to clear the road, and to get the ambulance moving quickly to the scene or trauma center. These lights are designed to be jarring, with intensity and a variety of patterns to distract drivers from their routine. Depending on the time of day and the weather conditions, having dual or multi-color lights can enhance the effectiveness of ambulance lights.

Each time a rescue squad pulls into traffic, there is a risk both to the first responders and the public. An emergency call means someone's life depends on the squad getting to them quickly. Unfortunately, distracted drivers with loud music, rolled up windows, telephones and earbuds mean they often don’t hear sirens. Properly positioned ambulance lights can break through this wall and reach a driver’s line of sight in an instant.

LED ambulance lights should be mounted high on the vehicle’s box and on the top corners on all four sides. LED strip lights are ideal for adding lower-level lights to the front and rear corners, both in front of and behind the vehicle's axles. Lighting should also be installed above the cab and in the grille and bumper areas to line the front of the squad. These lights will make the ambulance visible to low-profile vehicles as you approach them from the rear. Newer energy-efficient roof-mounted LED light bars are also a great addition for over-the-cab lighting.

Today, many light bars provide 360 degree lighting and can be programmed with multiple flash patterns, work modes, and in dual colors. There are various lighting systems from top manufacturers that can easily integrate with any ambulance system. Modern light bar technology offers brilliant, streamlined, and user-friendly options for enhanced safety capabilities that get the ambulance notices and help save lives.