Ever wondered how the various colour options for beacons / strobes can be used? We have put together a simple list to show the most common uses for each colour:
BLUE
- Police
- Fire service
- Ambulance (including lone paramedics on equipped motorcycles)
- Coastguard
- Mountain rescue
- Cave rescue
- Bomb disposal (military or civilian)
- Blood transfusion service (including organ transportation)
GREEN
- Doctor (any vehicle used by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council whether with full, provisional or limited registration)
AMBER
- Road clearance vehicle
- Refuse collection vehicle
- Breakdown vehicle
- Road maintenance vehicle (including maintenance of any apparatus in, on, under or over a road)
- Vehicles with a maximum speed of less than 25mph (including its trailer)
- Vehicles with an overall width exceeding 2.9 metres
- Escort vehicle when used below 25mph
- HMRC fuel testing vehicle
- Surveying vehicle
- Statutory immobilisation or removal vehicle
In short, blue is used on any vehicle used for saving lives. Amber is found on any generally slow moving vehicles which may obstruct the road from time to time. Green is only used by doctors.