Hi Guys,

I feel like I am going mad, though I am sure Clive or another local lawman can help clear it up!

I was driving on the motorway yesterday and saw a traffic cop on the hard shoulder, he had his blue lights on, but I could swear I saw red lights on the light bar!!! Now, I know Red is normally the colour used, but for the modern LED light bars on the roof, do they use Red Lights?

Are you sure it was the Police & not VOSA or the motorway traffic patrols - which can look very similar at first glance to police vehicles ?

I do believe that the red you saw was correct as that colour is used rear facing only to indicate that the police vehicle is stationary

it was definitely a police car, it was a skoda octavia estate I believe, which is the favoured vehicle of local traffic cops, so I am fairly sure it wasn't one of the other authorities. I also believe he was moving (crawling ready to accelerate into the lane behind me as I passed him!)

I'm fairly confident this is the reason:

Apparently, this is from the police motorway manual.... Though Clive can offer assurances to the authenticity of such an acclaimed product...

4.2.2 VEHICLE LIGHTING

Vehicles used on motorways should be equipped with suitable lighting. The lighting

requirements for vehicles in a range of situations are as follows.

Police vehicle stationary on hard shoulder:

• Rear upper and lower flashing red lights.

Police vehicle driving on hard shoulder – non-emergency situation:

• Dipped headlamps.

While driving in emergency situations:

• Flashing headlamps;

• Front blue grill lights;

• Front light bar displaying blue lights;

• Use of sirens;

• During hours of darkness flashing headlamps are not to be used and consider cancelling

the use of sirens;

• Consider 360 degree lights at intersections/sections.

Police vehicle stationary on carriageway:

• Rear flashing blue and red lights;

• If the vehicle is fitted with a messaging system, set appropriate message.

Rolling block:

• Rear flashing blue and red lights;

• If the vehicle is fitted with a messaging system, set appropriate message.

So . . as I stated - a visual indication that the police vehicle is stationary ( or should be ) in the circumstances you witnessed

All correct.

Red lights are part of the light fit-out and especially on Traffic section vehicles.

I honestly thought I was going mad when all the guys at works were ribbing me - only using blue lights! even went as far as to check the dash cam to see I was not losing it!

Anyway, proved myself not a lunatic and educated a few people so it wasnt too bad! :D