N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 15 § 44.2

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 44.2 - Red lights and certain white lights

A reference to the color red wherever it appears in this Part shall include the combination of the colors red and white.

(a) One or more red lights may be affixed to an authorized emergency vehicle which includes every ambulance, police vehicle, fire vehicle and civil defense emergency vehicle as each of these is defined in the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

(b) One or more red lights may be displayed on an authorized emergency vehicle when such vehicle is parked or operating while engaged in transporting a sick or injured person, pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the law, or responding to or working or assisting at the scene of an accident, disaster, police call, alarm of fire or other emergency, including an emergency drill on a public highway. Such light or lights may not be displayed when returning from such service, except upon a fire vehicle. An authorized emergency vehicle operated for the purpose of obtaining fuel, lubricants, maintenance or repairs is not considered to be operation in an emergency.

(c) At least one red light must be displayed and visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet from any direction from an authorized emergency vehicle, except a police vehicle, exercising the privileges granted in section 1104 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and sounding an audible signal as required by section 1104. Where required, because of vehicle construction, more than one red light may be used to satisfy the visibility requirement of section 1104.

(d) One all-white light, which is revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving may be affixed to an authorized emergency vehicle and displayed thereon only when such vehicle is engaged in emergency operation as set forth in subdivision (b) of this section. Such white light and the white portion of a combination red and white light shall not be:

(1) arranged, adjusted or operated so as to produce dangerous glare or dazzle;

(2) arranged, adjusted or operated so as to interfere with the visibility of any red light or red lights displayed on the vehicle; or

(3) of greater intensity than exceeds 100 candlepower as expressed in mean spherical candlepower at 35 watts.

(e) Headlamps of an approved headlighting system on an authorized emergency vehicle or any other vehicle may not be made to flash either alternately or in unison, except that the high beam white lights (ordinarily the inboard or lower lights) of a dual headlamp system may flash alternately on an authorized emergency vehicle.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 15 § 44.2