Amber and other lights

[David Drummond]

And anyway, I don't think most cops would say anything if you used an amber light bar (in those states where it is illegal), unless other cars are pulling over for you.
[/b]

I can tell you from MANY years of experience that it is a non-issue for LEOs in at least a half a dozen states I have chased in Brett. That includes the two mentioned in this thread. And yes even *gasp* driving with them on in certain conditions.

In fact, the ONLY ones I have EVER encountered that had an issue with it was certain other chasers. I have only had favorable comments from law enforcement about them.

So as far as I am concerened.....light em if ya got em!

Over half the time people don't pull over for EMERGENCY vehicles with red/blue/white with sirens and airhorns. I know this from experience of being on a fire dept and driving various vehicles CODE 3. I still haven't figure out why some people think having AMBER lights flashing on a chase vehicle is going to give it some magical quality that most emergency vehicles don't possess to actually get people to pull over and get out of the way.

I am only deduce that either:

1) The other driver is being courteous and letting the CHASER past, because after all, who would you want leading the way around severe weather?

2) They are just idiots and probably pull over for construction vehicles and wide load escorts too.

As for trucks pulling over and letting the flashy chase vehicle past. I have had them do that for me MANY times. I hear them talking on the CB about it. They didn't mistake it for any emergency vehicle. They KNEW it was a chase vehicle and were being nice since they often slow down considerably in bad/windy weather. I think the last comment I heard them say on the radio that sticks in my mind, "I think we better let him out front, I bet he knows what we are about to get in to!"

Just my experiences anyway, your mileage may vary.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I finally got an amber light the other day. I'm not sure how I've survived all these years chasing without one. I will pull up behind someone and they won't have any choice but to get out of the way. Oh no, I will turn it on and blind them, causing them to crash off the road...out of my way! I feel so much safer having added this on.

 

[Jay McCoy]

I finally got an amber light the other day. I'm not sure how I've survived all these years chasing without one. I will pull up behind someone and they won't have any choice but to get out of the way. Oh no, I will turn it on and blind them, causing them to crash off the road...out of my way! I feel so much safer having added this on.

[/b]

I want to see the battery you have THAT plugged into!! :blink:

 

[Tyler Allison]

I finally got an amber light the other day. I'm not sure how I've survived all these years chasing without one. I will pull up behind someone and they won't have any choice but to get out of the way. Oh no, I will turn it on and blind them, causing them to crash off the road...out of my way! I feel so much safer having added this on.

[/b]

Now that there's funny. I don't care who you are!

 

[John Hudson]

Now that there's funny. I don't care who you are!
[/b]

Damn straight, it's funny!

One thing that Mike never mentioned, was the two diesel generators he has on a trailer behind his car to power the bugger :lol:

John
VE4 JTH

 

[John Erwin]

I've never personally felt the need for extra warning lights on my vehicle, but to each their own. I've seen them used responsibly by some chasers, and abused by others. I suspect that the abusers are also the type that disregard other "rules of the road" and common courtesy anyways.. the lights are just another aspect of their attitude about things.

 

[Brett Adair]

Well, I've never really looked it up under Alabama state law but the EMA has sanctioned me as emergency personnel so I am about to have an amber light bar installed. Maybe they will get me a vehicle and I can be completely decked out in chase gear then....oh wait....I forgot. I live in Alabama... :unsure:

 

[Jay Crane]

Looks like one of those really old State Police cars with the one really big light on top.LOL

 

[Ben Engle]

Looks like one of those really old State Police cars with the one really big light on top.LOL
[/b]

you can thank Michigan State Patrol for those... The funny thing is, about 3 years ago, I saw a BRAND NEW crown vic that they had just recently put into service, but it still had the old gumball style light. You would think with all the high tech LED's and other stuff they'd update, but I guess tradition still means something in Michigan.

 

[David Drummond]

Yeah, except those old rotating sealed beam lights draw an ungodly amount of amps though. That was the real reason you never saw very many lights on emergency vehicles back in those days.