Blue lights added to Sault ambulance

Helping ambulances get noticed CTV Northern Ontario’s Jairus Patterson takes a look at the subtle changes affecting ambulances and the expected benefits.

Up until a last year, the only emergency vehicles allowed to use blue lights were the police.

Traditionally ambulances used red and white flashing lights, but research has shown that the combination of blue and red are more noticeable.

This prompted a change to the Highway Traffic Act on July 1st, which allows ambulances and fire trucks to use red or blue flashing lights.

Well, now paramedics in Sault Ste. Marie are driving their first ambulance with the new red and blue flashing lights.

Although they are similar to the police lights, they have been designed to be less distracting and catch drivers’ attention quicker.

The City of Sault Ste. Mare says that one noted advantage is when driving in rain or snow, the ‘flash back’ to the paramedic driving is less.

Drivers are still required to pull over to the side of the road and stop when approached by an ambulance with its emergency lights activated, regardless of the direction of travel.