Why dont emergency vehicles have things that turn all lights red?

Question

if they do i have never noticed

Answer 1

I have heard that it's not too far in the distant future!! I think it's a great idea too!

Answer 2

The confusion would create chaos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WbKBKima...

Answer 3

It is thought that it would cause accidents as drivers would quickly assume the light were not functional and start ignoring the red lights, causing accident and creating a gridlock

Answer 4

I am an EMT and we don't have that power yet, but it would be great as intersections are deadly in this field!

Jenn

Answer 5

It would be great if every town had them, much safer for all involved.

Answer 6

In larger cities they do. They can turn all lights red at an intersection. If you look at the hanging wires be the signals you can see the gizmo that receives the signal. We have them in Rockford IL at all the major intersections

Answer 7

Emergency vehicles are equipped with the equipment to do this already.  We have a company install these in our fleet.  The equipment has to be adjusted to export certain signals to the traffic light which in turn, turns it red so other traffic stops and you can procede to the scene.

Answer 8

That's a great idea! I wonder though if it would cause everyone to slam on their brakes though and then cause some to be rearended lol.

Answer 9

they turn red and white because the white reflects better and the red catches our attention!!!

Answer 10

There are psychological responses connected with colors. Viewing red makes a person more alert and usually signals danger (it's the color of blood). No joke, it's scientifically verified. Search Google: color psychology.  

Answer 11

As a former EMS provider, I don't want ALL the lights to go red.

I want to have GREEN lights in front of me, so I can drive at a steady 40 mph, with out having to stop  at intersections , on route to an emergency scene .

If ALL the intersections  are tied up  with 4 way RED lights, it is going to be a nightmare. No body would be able to get thru.

In many Canadian cities, the Fire department trucks have a strobe light, mounted on the roof,  that signals the traffic lights ahead, to go to GREEN as the truck approaches it. That light stays green for the truck to go thru, then the traffic lights go back to normal operations.

Jim B. Toronto.