Oregon Vehicles Permitted to Use Emergency Vehicle Lights
801.260
“Emergency vehicle.” “Emergency vehicle” means a vehicle that is equipped with lights and sirens as required under ORS 820.350 (Ambulance warning lights) and 820.370 (Ambulance or emergency vehicle sirens) and that is any of the following:
(1) Operated by public police, fire or airport security agencies.
(2) Designated as an emergency vehicle by a federal agency.
(3) Designated as an emergency vehicle by the Director of Transportation. [1983 c.338 §43; 1993 c.751 §5]
816-250
Each of the following is a requirement for police lights as described:
(1) Police lights may be blue, red, yellow, amber or white.
(2) Police lights may be revolving or stationary-type flashing lights.
(3) Police lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
(4) Police lights may include one or more lights. [1983 c.338 §458 (22); 1985 c.16 §240 (22); 1985 c.69 §1 (22); 1985 c.71 §4 (22); 1985 c.393 §13 (22); 1985 c.420 §6 (22); 1989 c.402 §9; 1997 c.492 §5]
820.350
Subject to any other law or rule pursuant thereto relating to lighting of a vehicle, the Department of Transportation may prescribe required warning lights for ambulances. The requirements established under this section may include, but are not limited to, numbers required, placement, visibility, rate of flash if applicable and inside indicators.
(2) Enforcement of the requirements established under this section is provided under ORS 820.360 (Illegal ambulance lighting equipment). [1983 c.338 §762; 1985 c.79 §1; 1989 c.782 §38]
816.285
Each of the following is authorized for fire department warning lights:
(1) Fire department vehicle warning lights may be red or a combination of red and white.
(2) Fire department vehicles may use an approved headlight flashing system as authorized by ORS 816.050 (Headlights).
(3) Fire department vehicles may have a forward facing flashing white light for the purpose of operating a traffic signal preemption device.
(4) Fire department vehicles may show a flashing or revolving green light when operating as the command post in emergency incidents.
(5) Fire department emergency response vehicle lights may be any color allowed for police lights under ORS 816.250 (Police lights). [1991 c.769 §5; 1997 c.492 §6]
Note: 816.285 (Fire department warning lights) was added to and made a part of ORS chapter 816 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
816.240
Each of the following is a requirement for hazard lights as described:
(1) At least two hazard lights shall be mounted on the front of the vehicle and at least two hazard lights shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
(2) Hazard lights mounted on the front of the vehicle shall be mounted at the same level as other hazard lights on the front of the vehicle. Hazard lights mounted on the rear of the vehicle shall be mounted at the same level as other hazard lights on the rear of the vehicle.
(3) Hazard lights shall be as widely spaced laterally on the front and rear of the vehicle as practicable.
(4) Hazard lights on a vehicle shall flash simultaneously with each other.
(5) Hazard lights on the front of a vehicle may be white or amber lights. Hazard lights on the rear of a vehicle may be amber or red lights.
(6) Hazard lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night. [1983 c.338 §458 (21); 1985 c.16 §240 (21); 1985 c.69 §1 (21); 1985 c.71 §4 (21); 1985 c.393 §13 (21); 1985 c.420 §6 (21)]