Some ambulances in Windsor-Essex have a new look to increase safety.
Seven ambulances are now using flashing blue lights instead of the traditional red lights to increase paramedic and public safety.
The County of Essex said studies have shown that blue lights are more visible than red or yellow lights during the day and at night because red lights blend-in with brake lights on vehicles, traffic signals, and other signage.
“Essex-Windsor EMS places a priority on patient and paramedic safety and these blue lights work to reduce collisions involving emergency vehicles and increase visibility on incident scenes,” said Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter. “It’s a small change that can make a big difference.”
The County said the switch came after amendments to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, which opened the door for ambulances and fire trucks to use blue lights. In the past, only police vehicles were allowed to use blue lights.
The plan is to eventually outfit the entire Essex-Windsor EMS fleet with blue lights.
Essex-Windsor EMS is also replacing the traditional light bar on ambulances with in-box lights, which are more efficient. The in-box lights are easier to keep clean, less expensive, and more economical to repair.
