WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Ok, something I just saw on the news, Japanese police cars having 'raising' light bars (which are also on many RAC vehicles now a days).

Any thoughts as to them being implemented on Aussie standard Police vehicles? My main reasoning is to raise them under priority, so they stand out more over the tops of cars. For example SJA and FESA vehicles already have lighting at a high spot so they don't need them, just the standard sedans/wagons.

yorky wrote:Ok, something I just saw on the news, Japanese police cars having 'raising' light bars (which are also on many RAC vehicles now a days).

Any thoughts as to them being implemented on Aussie standard Police vehicles? My main reasoning is to raise them under priority, so they stand out more over the tops of cars. For example SJA and FESA vehicles already have lighting at a high spot so they don't need them, just the standard sedans/wagons.

Yes I saw that on the News too and have the same question.

I think its a good idea of having "raised lightbars". It would certainly help to spot the emergency vehicles better in a crowd of traffic.

Japan have had raised lightbars for years. However, it tends to only be used when stationary at an accident or warning of danger ahead. NYPD highway patrol also have a similar system with 2 big raised bars behind the vector lightbar with spot lights and warning lights attached.

While on the topic of Japanese lightbars, it may interest you to know that unmarked police cars in Japan have a single red beacon hidden in the middle of the roof, and flips over when activated to reveal the beacon along with hidden spotlights which pop up from the bumper to flash red also. Quite innovative!

Check out youtube and type in "japan police impreza" in search field and look for the pic of the white WRX to get an idea of what I mean.

Cheers,
AL

Depends on the clearance side of things... I remember when they had those older style beacons on the roof eg.



Great lights, but not realistically practical. (Old example I know)
I'd say LED lightbars and lights should be standard on Police vehicles now as they provide a much better source of lighting... Surely having it raised up high won't make a difference to what you see in your mirror?? Even if they start using strobes in the headlights/reverse lights plus some more lighting within the rear windows etc. My two cents

almo899 wrote:Check out youtube and type in "japan police impreza" in search field and look for the pic of the white WRX to get an idea of what I mean.

Cheers,
AL

Those crazy Japanese think of everything. Trap door beacons whatllthey think of next!

/que transformers music

And yes the issue with driving UDD with raised lightbars could be that they could get damaged unless they have very strong arms?

hey walks, didnt You used to call them micky mouse lights?

playworth wrote:hey walks, didnt You used to call them micky mouse lights?

In my younger CB days we reffered to them as "double bubbles".

I noticed them as well. I wonder if they are remotely controlled or you have to get out and jack them up some how

playworth wrote:hey walks, didnt You used to call them micky mouse lights?

Nope, they are not mickeys.

Mickey Mouse lights were traffic. Single rotator in the middle with a circular blue light on either side (hence the ears).

Seen here

Walks.

Then they went to red and blue on each side if I can remember rightly.. All I remember is a pink and grey flying through one Also remember the old Nissans with the single blue beacon in the middle with a perspex POLICE sign under it.

Problem with having it raised is that up close if the light bar goes up it may be out of view of the rear view mirror. I firmly believe in all emergency vehicles have some dashboard height lighting i.e. deckblasters etc. That way if you can't see the flashing headlights or blue/red and blues then you should at least see them!

I remember these when i first moved to WA in '98

They were hilarious! they would have to be the dullest lights ever used. The huge rotator in the centre performed about 3 revolutions a minute whilst the outside blue 'Mouse ears' flashed like an ageing candle!!!