rear red lights

[Bewildered]

This is a question to all the roadside patrols out there, would we benefit from having flashing rear red on our breakdown vehicles, at the moment the law says no, but what do you think.

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

[orhan]

Been an aa patrol for 10+ years now and relly dont believe flashing reds gonna do much . There are far toomany ignorant drivers outhere that doesnt know whats going on beyond their bonnets

[swifthobo]

i take it you have both had incident's?

[Bewildered]

A few TBH, but I agree with the AA lad, (im RAC) I think that rear reds have no impact on the general public if used a standard beacons however having them fitted as pulsing LED`s may help slow drivers down. the use of amber lights have been ruined by many including bin lorries that travel at 5 MPH in our streets, bloody hell if people need a small flashing amber light to let them see a massive bin lorry then flashing red lights on our patrol vehicles will have no chance.

[minky monkey]

The issue argued is that given the sheer amount of yellow beacon users - dustcarts, milkfloats etc, is that the recovery vehicles are often ignored by motorists. By fitting reds it makes the recovery vehicles more distinctive. Anything that provides further advanced warning, hopefully slowing approaching vehicles down thus making the job safer can only be a good thing.

I do think that alot of this isn't helped by the hero factor of some of the lads in the trade to be fair. Dashing here there and everywhere towing with beacons ablaze when there just isn't a need. We all know the score as to appropriate use of beacons!

When I had my last tilt slide built by Dysons, I specced alternating rear reds in the light bar. Yes, I know they're illegal and I'm up for a ticket but if I genuinely feel they offer further protection then I'll quite happily use them and take the consequences..

I've used them in the presence of traffic without a quibble, although I have heard of other firms having been given a bking.

They did carry out a study a few years back, I think it was Mcallisters in conjuction with DfT and it was shown that they did make a significant reduction in the approach speed of motorists. Of course as with all things, that was the last that was heard of it.

Edited by minky monkey on Friday 6th January 02:30

[orhan]

Swifthobo how long do you have, over the years drivers trying to cut up cars i'm towing to driving up to my vans back bumper when all lighs ablaze and rear tailgate wide open so maybe i am a bit jaded.I just dont trist majority of drivers capilities thats all.

[swifthobo]

Its not something i really thought about but i suppose really you guys actually do have a dangerous job and tbh when i see an amber beacon it does really slow me down obviously check the risks but like you said if you had a red beacon it may be more affective

[minky monkey]

Closest one I ever had was having a wing mirror removed from a transit spec lift by an artic on the h/s of the M25 9-10 a good few years ago.

Saw it coming a jumped over the armco at the side of the car I was with.

Genuine change of underpants moment! Horrible waiting for the bang..

I saw one AA van that was stuck by a lorry and left at the brooklands depot, must've been about 15 years ago now. Lad was sitting in it at the time IIRC. Serious injuries, but got back to work eventually.

[TrafficRat]

In my opinion, it Should stick to Amber... it does not really matter what colour are on the Vans. If they are bright enough, drivers will see them.

Also, people might mistake the vehicle for an Emergency Service, and you know what back log that starts

Edited by TrafficRat on Friday 6th January 03:46

[orhan]

Minkymonkey that aa rtc at brooklands depot was about 13 years back happend ayear or so before i started and the fella was making a call to aa help desk thats when he got hit luckly the phone disnt die and he was kept calm in the end he was in intensive care 6 months or so but took a lot of looking after to get him back. Yes thats where i originally started from too.