flashing, oscillating, or rotating lights - National Work Zone Safety ...

FLASHING, OSCILLATING, OR ROTATING LIGHTSThe use and possession of flashing, oscillating, or rotating lights of ANY color is prohibited*except as otherwise provided by law or under the following circumstances:Vehicle Description Red Lights Blue Lights White Lights Amber LightsPolice VehiclesShall be equipped with red or blue.MCL 257.698(5)(a)Fire Vehiclesfor public useAmbulancepublic or privatePrivate motor vehicleowned by a volunteer or paid firefighter, a volunteer ambulance driver,or a licensed ambulance driver orattendant.Must be authorized by the Chief of thelocal fire department.Shall be equipped.MCL 257.698(5)(b)May be equipped,must be mounted onthe roof.MCL 257.698(5)(c)noMay display inconjunction with anauthorized emergencylight prescribed in thissection.MCL 257.698(5)(g)noSchool BusPublic Transit VehicleShall be equippedwith two alternatelyflashing red lights atboth the front and therear.Public Act 187 of 1990Section 17noMust be mounted onroof, displayed onlyduring inclementweather, whileboarding ordischargingpassengers, from ½hour before sunsetuntil ½ hour aftersunrise, or whereconditions hindervisibility of the bus.PA 187 of 1990, Section 31Buses manufactured on orafter 10/01/90:Shall be equippedwith two alternatelyflashing amber lightsat both the front andthe rear.Public Act 187 of 1990Section 19Public Transit Vehicle:MCL 257.698(5)(j)Emergency support vehiclesVehicles must be used exclusively foremergencies and owned and operatedby a federally recognized nonprofitcharitable organization. MCL257.698(5)(c)May be equipped,must be mounted onthe roof.MCL 257.698(5)(c)noPhysicians vehicleMust obtain written authorization fromthe county sheriff.May be equipped,must be mounted onroof.MCL 257.698(5)(h)nonoState, county,and municipal vehiclesnoShall be used whileengaged in theremoval of ice, snow,or other materialfrom the highways.MCL 257.698(5)(d)Private security guard no no noShall not be activatedon a public highwaywhen the vehicle is inmotion.MCL 257.698(7)A person that is engaged in themanufacture, sale, or repair of theselights.May possess lights, however shall not activate the lights upon a highway unless authorizedto do so under the direction of the proper authority (for demonstration or repair purposes).MCL 257.698(5)(i)A person who possess or uses a light contrary to any of the above is guilty of a misdemeanor.Page 1 of 2F/Lt. Eric Johnson • Michigan Department of State Police • Traffic Services Section • June 1999

FLASHING, OSCILLATING, OR ROTATING LIGHTSUse and PossessionVehicle Description Red Lights Blue Lights White Lights Amber LightsA vehicle used for the cleanup ofspills or a necessary emergencyresponse action taken pursuant tostate or federal law.A vehicle operated by anemployee of the DNR thatresponds to a spill, emergencyresponse action, complaint, orcompliance activity.no no nono no noLights shall not beactivated unless thevehicle isat the sceneof a spill,emergencyresponse action,complaint, orcompliance activity.MCL 257.698(5)(e)Hearse or funeral vehicle* no no no Amber or PurpleMCL 257.698(5)(g)A motor vehicle while escortingan oversize load that has beenissued a permit.A vehicle owned by the nationalguard or a United States militaryvehicle while traveling under arecognized military authority.A farm tractor, an implement ofhusbandry or a motor vehiclewhile towing an implement ofhusbandry.no no nono no nono no noPublic utility service vehicles no no noPrivately owned vehicle ofa peace officerAllowed only if the vehicle is being used asa police vehicle.Attorney General Opinion No. 3142, 1957Vehicle operated by a mail carrier no no noVehicle delivering newspapers orother publicationsnono no noVehicle utilized for snow removal no no noMay be equipped,however shall notbe activated exceptin thosecircumstances thatthe warningproduced by thelights is required forpublic safety.MCL 257.698(5)(f)Vehicle engaged in authorizedhighway repair or maintenanceno no noWrecker or automobile service carMay be equipped,shall be activatedonly when engagedin the removal orassistance of avehicle. MCL257.698(5)(f)nonoGarbage truck or refuse vehicle no no noSelling, Loaning, or Furnishing LightsA person shall not sell, loan or otherwise furnish a flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue or red light designed primarily for installationon an authorized emergency vehicle to a person except a police officer, volunteer or paid firefighter, volunteer ambulance driver,licensed ambulance driver or attendant of the state, a county or municipality within the state, a person engaged in the business ofoperating an ambulance or wrecker service, or a federally recognized nonprofit charitable organization which owns and operates anemergency support vehicle used exclusively for emergencies. MCL 257.698(6)A person who possess or uses a light contrary to any of the above is guilty of a misdemeanor.*Changes effective 7/8/98.Page 2 of 2F/Lt. Eric Johnson • Michigan Department of State Police • Traffic Services Section • June 1999