Push-a-button = automatic green light

[Garageaholic]

It was recently brought to my attention that ambulances and other emergency vehicles are equipped with an instrument that in an emergency, allows them to turn any light green at any interesection with a push of a button. (letting the opposing traffic turn red first obviously)...


Is this true??


If so, can they be purchased... somehow??

[rede30]

This is somthing i have always heard but i call bs on it.

[Dave]

It was recently brought to my attention that ambulances and other emergency vehicles are equipped with an instrument that in an emergency, allows them to turn any light green at any interesection with a push of a button. (letting the opposing traffic turn red first obviously)...


Is this true??


If so, can they be purchased... somehow??

No - you can only get them from the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny.

[KenC]

It's the lights on top of the car that do it. If you have ever looked at the little metal contraption that is at the end of the bar that the lights hang from, it's what senses the light. Next time you're on a straight street with sensored lights, flash your brights about 5-7 times and the cross lights will immediately turn yellow.
There are also devices that you can buy that emit high powered light pulsation so you don't have to flash your brights. They're illegal, by the way.

[Teaguer]

Yep , the flashing your lights trick does work .

[yozsi]

get a small strobe light with a polarized lense and mount it in your grill. works like a charm.

[golde30]

Yep , the flashing your lights trick does work .

only if they have that setup in the city you live in...in SF they dont have those sensors, emergency vehicles just run all the lights.

[RobertK]

It's true.. there are devices you can buy or build to change red lights to green.

http://www.i-hacked.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=176

[Jand3rson]

Everytime Andrew and I watch "Ronin", and it gets to that part where Vincent has that little gizmo that turns the colors of the lights, we both go "I want one of those..."

[fretburnr]

its called an Opticom system from 3M.

http://www.fedsig.com/products/index.php?id=35

and heres the MIRT, the consumer hack of the system.

http://www.skyoptics.com/Mirt.htm

[yozsi]

Jeez, i made one of those MIRT things for under 40 bucks and mounted it behind my bumper so police dont see it. like i said, get a small 12v strobe lamp and get a piece of polarized lense/glass. and you are set.

[Ryan Stewart]

I have a friend that owns one of these. The brights thing is bullshit. Its a specified IR signal in Kansas. It works and, to date, isnt illegal in Kansas.

Will be soon though.

[delatlanta1281]

Everytime Andrew and I watch "Ronin", and it gets to that part where Vincent has that little gizmo that turns the colors of the lights, we both go "I want one of those..."

soo cute

[Sean]

soo cute

lol




I've flashed my lights at some lights...and it seems to work. Probably coincidental though.

[erik325i]

Yep , the flashing your lights trick does work .

Not everywhere.

Whenever I see an emergency vehicle in a hurry, the lights don't do anything different. He just has to run the red lights.

-Erik