Police light bar effectiveness

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Jonny Z

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Jun 3, 2005
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Location
Austin, TX
I have been pretty happy with the new LED police light bars. They can be seen miles away, day or night. But this is in Texas, where cops run red and blue light bars.

Just took a road trip from Austin, TX to Atlanta, GA, passing through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. I was surprised to find their State Troopers run blue-only light bars. I find them hard to see during bright day light hours, against a green background. Often times I do not notice that they are on until 1/4 mile away.

I always thought the red is more effective during the day, and blue during the night. What's with the blue only setup?
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I do not like them. They have a very low profile so by the time you realize it's a cop car, it's probably late.

The latest trick locally is to use cars like Mustangs, Camaros and such with tinted windows and the lights inside the car. Since they are LED, they are bright enough to function properly through the tinted glass. But this way you never know who around you is a cop.
 
My State is blue only. Actually, most states around here are as well. Up here for the most part...

Blue = Police
Red = Fire/EMT
Yellow = Tow/Highway Dept
Green = Security
 
HA . I like the stealth cop cars. Catches those aggressive drivers in the act. If you aren't breaking the law a cop car is just traffic.
 
I know I am going to catch h*ll but I prefer more patrol. Aggressive drivers cut in and out and force me to break my cruise speed and kill my MPG.

I was tailgated by an 18 wheeler in AL, in the rain, in a section of the I20, that has a PSL of 55. I was doing 60.
 
Originally Posted By: Kestas
Maybe they should consider day/night settings on the red/blue versions.


I agree... they'll probably argue that b/c they're emergency vehicles they need extra visibility... but blue scatters well and on a rainy night it's hard to see around.

Plus when you have a cop exiting his driver's door in his typically dark uniform... he's hard to see for all the glare.

The warning letter signs have a great night mode that gets the point across. Think these are LEDs now too, don't hear the generators blaring.

Just went by a marine navigation buoy with LED topper, that sucker was bright and I'm sure helpful to the coast guard maintenance budget.
 
I never had a problem seeing the blue lights. Our deputys have the red/blue setup. I am trying to envision this, but I simply cant see how red lights are more visible against the orange sun. Our troopers also use white cars so maybe that helps a little.
 
Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
HA . I like the stealth cop cars. Catches those aggressive drivers in the act. If you aren't breaking the law a cop car is just traffic.


If the speed limits weren't kept below the speeds most drive to enhance revenue, maybe there would be fewer law breakers. When was the last time you saw a cop pull somebody over for failing to keep right?
 
Originally Posted By: benjamming
police is not security? I agree.


No. Police and Security are different. Secruity refers to private security companies.

Private security in my state can not run blue or red lights on their vehicles. That is reserved for police and fire/emt. They use green and sometimes yellow. I actually did armed security cruiser patrols( was supervisor )for a couple years.
 
Originally Posted By: 97f150
I never had a problem seeing the blue lights. Our deputys have the red/blue setup. I am trying to envision this, but I simply cant see how red lights are more visible against the orange sun. Our troopers also use white cars so maybe that helps a little.


Don't get me wrong, blue is super attention grabbing at night. I can see a flashing blue object with the corner of my eyes at night. But during the day, they seem like bug zappers.

I wonder if they run blue light bars to zap mesquites.
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Originally Posted By: Jonny Z
Originally Posted By: 97f150
I never had a problem seeing the blue lights. Our deputys have the red/blue setup. I am trying to envision this, but I simply cant see how red lights are more visible against the orange sun. Our troopers also use white cars so maybe that helps a little.


Don't get me wrong, blue is super attention grabbing at night. I can see a flashing blue object with the corner of my eyes at night. But during the day, they seem like bug zappers.

I wonder if they run blue light bars to zap mesquites.
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If thats the reason they are using them they are wasting their time, or we have so many mosquitos that it dosent seem to be helping any.
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Originally Posted By: labman
Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
HA . I like the stealth cop cars. Catches those aggressive drivers in the act. If you aren't breaking the law a cop car is just traffic.


If the speed limits weren't kept below the speeds most drive to enhance revenue, maybe there would be fewer law breakers. When was the last time you saw a cop pull somebody over for failing to keep right?



Enforcement doesn't matter. Follow the speed limits and the rules of the road and you will never caztch the attention of the revenuers. To me its a value. If I am going to say safety is impoirtant I have to live it. That means I NEVER break the speed limit. I set the cruise on the speed limit and am highly defensive.
THe funny thing is I usually catch up to all the passers at the next city. Potty breaks and red lights are great equilizers.

Today on the way home from work I saw a half ton dodge pickup with a jacknifed and flopped really nice camper trailer. Ity was at the bottom of a decline we call cedar hill. Speed was the culprit. [censored]? just because you have the power to pull a larger trailer fast doesn't mean you should .

When everyone gives up there sense of lawlessness and follows posted speed limits the speed limit laws will bump up against commerce. THEY CAN'T LOWER THEM ANYMORE AND THERE REVENUE GOES DOWN... i GUESSE AT THAT POINT LEFT LANE PARKERS SHOULD CHECK THEIR 6.
 
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