PILOT PROJECT: FLASHING GREEN LIGHT
The Ministère des Transports (MTQ) and Ministère de la Sécurité Publique (MSP) implemented a pilot project in 2016 to evaluate the use of flashing green lights by part-time and volunteer firefighters.
The objective of the pilot project is to improve the response time of firefighters travelling to a disaster or to fire stations with their personal vehicles.
The MSP chose the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais and Bécancour for this pilot project (2016 to 2019) to study the possibility of authorizing the use of flashing green lights throughout Quebec.
WHAT IS THE GREEN LIGHT FOR?
The flashing green light doesn’t transform the firefighter's personal vehicle into an emergency vehicle. Instead, it identifies firefighters responding to an emergency call while respecting the highway safety code.
The flashing green light is designed to encourage citizens to yield to the firefighter if the situation safely permits. The flashing green light also allows the user to drive on the shoulder to avoid traffic jams.
The objectives of the pilot project on the use of flashing green lights are:
- Identify firefighters travelling to emergency calls or fire stations
- Encourage courtesy on the road
- Reduce travel time for firefighters responding to an emergency
Information
Chelsea Fire Department