Two new ambulances will be added to Haldimand County’s emergency vehicle fleet next month. These ambulances will be equipped with forward and rear facing blue lights – instead of the usual white lights – in an effort to increase first responder visibility and improve safety during emergency responses.

“Using a combination of flashing red and blue lights will help get the attention of drivers and keep emergency responders safer,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Fire Chief and Manager of Emergency Medical Services. “Blue lights tend to stand out and are more visible than red or yellow in daylight,” he added.

The placement of blue lights on Haldimand County’s new ambulances are the result of an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act in July 2018, which allows ambulances and fire trucks to use flashing red or blue lights. Previously, only police were allowed to use blue lights.

Gallagher is also reminding residents how to react on the road when an emergency vehicle approaches with a simple phrase: move to the right for sirens and lights. At an intersection, stop sign or traffic light, drivers should stay put if they cannot pull to the right.