Changes in Blue Light Law Under House Bill 1208

IC Code 36-8-12-11: House Bill 1208 introduced changes in the blue light law for volunteer firefighters. On March 27, 2002, Governor Frank O'Bannon signed the bill and it became effective on that date. Listed below are the modifications and additions made to the law.

§ Lights may be used while en route to scenes of emergencies or to the fire station.

§ A light is only required to have a source of at least 35 watts, instead of 50 candlepower.

§ Lights may now be placed on the (i) top of the vehicle, (ii) the dashboard inside, shielded to prevent distracting the driver OR (iii) front of the vehicle upon the bumper or at bumper level.

§ No more than 4 light assemblies may be displayed on 1 vehicle and each assembly must be of the flashing or revolving type.

§ A blue light assembly may contain multiple bulbs.

§ Alternately flashing headlamps may be used as a supplemental warning device. Strobe lights or flashers may be installed into the light fixtures on the vehicle other than the alternating headlamps. The strobe lights or flashers may be either white or blue, with the exception or red to the rear.

§ If a member of a volunteer fire department violates the blue light law, the chief of the department shall discipline the firefighter under fire department rules and regulations.