ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions twice per week in a segment called “Ask Trooper Steve.”
Trooper Steve on Thursday was asked about light on police vehicles.
Have you ever wondered why police cars use distinctive red and blue lights?
It’s the result of decades of evolution to keep drivers safe and aware.
In the early days of patrol cars, there weren’t any emergency lights at all. Officers who needed to stop a driver might have to pull up alongside them and shout or use a handheld signal, hardly a reliable method.
By the 1940s, many departments began installing single rotating red beacons on their roofs. Red was chosen because it was already associated with “stop,” danger and emergencies.
But there was a problem: red lights alone didn’t always stand out, especially in daylight or among the sea of brake lights on the road.
That’s when blue came in. Blue light is easier to see in daylight and doesn’t blend in with taillights.
By the 1960s, the red-and-blue combo became standard in many departments across the country.
Over time, the big, clunky “gumball” lights were replaced with sleeker, more advanced light bars. Today’s police vehicles use powerful LED systems with customizable flash patterns, designed to cut through traffic, bad weather and busy streets to get your attention fast.
So the next time you see those red and blue lights in your rear-view mirror, remember it’s not just tradition, it’s the result of decades of safety innovation to help officers do their job and keep the roads safe for everyone.