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Emergency vehicle lightingUruguay

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Uruguay

41. Emergency vehicle lighting

Emergency vehicle lighting consists of special flashing or rotating lights used on authorised emergency or priority vehicles to make them highly visible and warn other road users. Police vehicles, ambulances, fire engines and other authorised response vehicles commonly use distinctive warning lights when responding to incidents.

The colour, meaning and permitted use of emergency lights vary between countries. When emergency lighting is active, road users should remain alert, identify the approaching vehicle and follow the local rules for giving way or creating a clear passage.

Emergency vehicle lighting
Emergency vehicle with warning lights during a disaster-response exercise. (Oberwart, Austria)
Wikimedia.org • BFV Radkersburg • CC BY-SA
What is emergency vehicle lighting?

Emergency vehicle lighting consists of special warning lights fitted to authorised emergency or priority vehicles to increase their visibility and alert other road users.

Which vehicles use emergency warning lights?

Depending on the country, they may be used by police vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, rescue vehicles and other authorised emergency services.

What should you do when you see emergency lights?

Remain alert, determine where the emergency vehicle is coming from and follow the applicable rules for giving way or creating a safe passage. The precise obligation depends on the country's traffic laws and whether an audible warning is also being used.

1 Uruguay 2 Pedestrian warning 3 Speed bump 4 Stop sign 5 Roundabout 6 Railway crossing 7 Curve 8 Wrong-way driving 9 Traffic lights 10 Location marker 11 No parking 12 Reversing 13 Bus 14 Police 15 Ambulance 16 Pothole 17 Path 18 Particulates 19 Air pollution 20 Rush hour 21 Road code 22 Street gutter 23 Cargo bike 24 Forestry vehicle 25 Construction vehicle 26 Semi-trailer truck 27 Trolleybus 28 Speed pedelec 29 Delivery vehicle 30 Idling 31 Tow truck 32 Four-wheel drive 33 Bicycle 34 Motorcycle equipment 35 Rail track 36 Caravan 37 Trailer 38 Tow hitch 39 Siren 40 Convoy 41 Emergency vehicle lighting 42 Agricultural machinery 43 Electric bicycle 44 Electric vehicle 45 Pedelec 46 Quadricycle 47 Microcar 48 All-terrain vehicle 49 Van 50 Recreational vehicle 51 Scooter 52 Trikke 53 Personal mobility device 54 Skateboard 55 Segway 56 Kick scooter 57 Roller skates 58 Mailman 59 Hitchhiker 60 Toddler 61 Child 62 Disability 63 Motorail 64 km/h 65 mph 66 Speedometer 67 Ride height 68 Dirt road 69 Driving 70 Start-stop system 71 Manual transmission 72 Automatic transmission 73 Throttle 74 Tachometer 75 Steering wheel 76 Power steering 77 Visual scanning 78 Mirror 79 Fuel 80 Fuel gauge 81 Petrol 82 Diesel 83 Diesel exhaust fluid 84 Car insurance 85 First aid kit 86 Fire extinguisher 87 High-visibility clothing 88 First aid 89 Concrete step barrier 90 Barriers 91 Vehicle lights 92 Street lights 93 Dipped beam 94 High beam 95 Fog lights 96 Front fog lights 97 Rear fog lights 98 Side lights 99 Turn signals 100 Hazard lights ...