Fire Chief Red and Blue Maine Laws Personal Vehicle

Maine Emergency Vehicle Light State Statutes

In Maine, there are strict and specific rules about how emergency lights are allowed to be utilized by different vehicles. The color of the lights is determined by the role of the vehicle, and there are rules about where they must be mounted and how and when they should be used. The Maine state statutes are very explicit about the rules for emergency vehicle lights, which are detailed below.

Police Lights

In the state of Maine, a police vehicle is permitted to display and use red emergency lights. According to state statute 29-A 2054 section 2F, red emergency lights are permitted on police vehicles, but can only be used for up to half of all emergency police lights mounted on the cars.

Section 2D mandates that a blue light or a combination of blue and white lights must be used on a police vehicle. Additionally, a vehicle operated by a chief of police, a sheriff or a deputy sheriff is allowed to display a blue light. Any vehicle that is operated by a qualified deputy sheriff who is performing security-related services for the court is also permitted to utilize a blue light.

Within this same statute, section 2A allows alternate flashing headlights on police vehicles. Section 2B provides that police vehicles are the only cars and trucks that can be outfitted with a device that creates alternate flashing of the vehicle's brake lights, rear directional lights and back-up lights. A device can also be installed to create strobe lights behind the rear brake lenses.

Fire Truck Lights

Fire trucks are permitted to have both blue and red lights in the State of Maine. State statute 29-A 2054 section 2D provides that emergency lights used on a fire department vehicle are permitted to utilize one blue light that is mounted facing toward the rear of the vehicle in order to primarily be seen by traffic behind the fire truck. Section 2F states that fire trucks must display red lights, or a combination of red and white emergency lights.
Under section 2A, fire trucks are permitted to install a device to create alternate flashing headlights.

Volunteer Fire Fighter Lights

The rules for volunteer fire vehicles are slightly different than those for trucks owned by the municipality. Maine state statute 29-A 2054 section 2F states that an active member of a municipal or volunteer fire department can by permitted by a municipal official and the fire chief to use one red light, or a combination red and white light. This light must be a flashing auxiliary light mounted in the front of the vehicle to either the windshield or the dashboard. Another option is to display 2 flashing red lights, or combination red and white auxiliary lights, in the front of the vehicle right above the bumper but below the hood. This option also requires one red auxiliary light mounted in the rear window area.

These emergency lights may only be activated when the vehicle is on its way to, or at the scene of, an emergency or fire. Any lights mounted to the dashboard or windshield must be partially covered inside the vehicle so that it does not obscure the driver's view of the road. The use of lights is not necessarily permanent, as permission to use them can be revoked by the fire chief at any time.

Ambulance lights

Maine state statute 29-A 2054 section 2F gives permission for ambulances to display red lights or a combination of red and white lights. Section 2D allows for the use of one blue emergency light that must be mounted facing toward the rear of the vehicle, primarily visible to traffic behind the ambulance.

Similar to volunteer firefighters, section 2F permits members of an emergency medical service licensed by Maine Emergency Medical Services to display emergency lights. These vehicles may use red lights, or combination red and white flashing auxiliary lights when authorized by the chief official of the emergency medical service. The rules for display are the same as those for volunteer firefighters, as detailed above. The use of emergency lights for emergency medical personal vehicles can also be revoked by the chief official of the emergency medical service at any time.

Tow trucks lights

Tow trucks are not allowed to display blue, red or white lights. Under state statute 29-A 2054 section 2C, a tow truck is permitted to display only an amber light. These trucks are required to be equipped with a flashing light on top of the vehicle that displays the amber light over 360 degrees. The light must be activated on public roadways or in any location where public traffic would be reasonably expected. The light should be in use whenever the tow truck is actively servicing, freeing, loading, unloading, or towing another vehicle.

Construction Vehicle Lights

Vehicles used for construction on public roads are also permitted to use an amber colored emergency light. Statute 29-A 2054 section 2C requires that a vehicle utilized in highway maintenance on public roadways should be outfitted with amber auxiliary lights while the work is underway. A workplace safety inspector who operates a Department of Labor motor vehicle is also authorized to display amber emergency vehicle lights. Section 2A of this same statute allows for construction vehicles to be furnished with a device that creates alternate flashing headlights on the truck.

Utility Vehicle Lights

Utility vehicles are allowed to utilize amber lights per Maine state statute 29-A 2054 section 2C. The lights should be engaged when the utility truck is used for maintenance or is creating a potential traffic hazard by parking on a roadway.

Pilot Vehicle Light

A pilot vehicle is required if accompanying an oversized load of more than 80 feet in length or 12 feet in width. State statute 29-A 2382 section 9 states that pilot vehicles escorting oversized loads must display both warning signs and emergency lights. Pilot vehicles in Maine require a permit in order to display lights and accompany an oversized load.

The lights must be amber in color, and can be flashing, rotary or a light bar. The lights must be positioned at the extreme top left and right, or left to right in the case of a bar light. The signage, which must be covered when the pilot vehicle is not in service, must read "Oversize Load" in 8 inch high black letters mounted on a yellow background, and must be 5 feet wide by 12 inches high. It should be mounted on the front bumper when preceding the load, and the rear bumper when following the load. It can also be mounted on the roof, facing the appropriate direction depending on its position in relation to the oversized vehicle.

Security Vehicle Lights

Security vehicles are permitted to display amber lights in certain circumstances. Statute 29-A 2054 section 2C allows any vehicle that is used or owned by a contract security company to utilize amber emergency lights. The lights may be activated on public roads when the driver and vehicle help with traffic control, or direct other vehicles around traffic obstructions and hazards at construction or maintenance sites.

It is important for all vehicles to comply with the emergency vehicle lights laws within the state of Maine. Vehicles should only display the color of lights authorized for the role of the car or truck, and should avoid flashing lights and strobe lights unless expressly permitted to do so with the state statutes. It is also essential that all vehicles follow the laws regarding when and how to utilize the lights in case of an emergency or potential traffic hazard.

For more information about what lights may be available to you, we suggest calling your State Highway Patrol office at: 207-626-3811

*Please note that these numbers are what we are currently able to find and the numbers may have changed since this listing.

Disclaimer: The emergency vehicle light state statute guide was created by Extreme Tactical Dynamics as a guide and reference. We make no claim to the accuracy or validity of this guide. This guide was written to the best of our knowledge and has been provided to our customers as a courtesy ONLY! The information in this guide is our interpretation of the law as we have read it. We cannot be held responsible for any errors as this is only our interpretation of the law and the laws are constantly changing. We cannot be held liable or responsible for any errors and recommend that our customers refer to their local authorities to confirm the particular statue that governs their use of emergency vehicle lights.

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Source: https://www.extremetacticaldynamics.com/knowledge-base/state-statutes/maine

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