TRADITIONAL RED COLORS SAFETY

It is noted that the color red, used for fire fighting equipment, is one of the least visible of vehicle colors. Optometrists note that, for its high visibility, lime yellow should be used by fire and rescue teams, as well as favored by trucks and car buyers. Lime yellow falls in the middle of the color spectrum between the wavelengths 510 and 570. At night, white is the most visible, but lime yellow stands out better against cloudy skies and snowy backdrops than does white. The color red is perceived as black at night. Also, people have particularly poor peripheral detection of red shades. These findings are supported by research. It is also pointed out that color is an underrated component of 'safety packages' that should also include sirens and flashing lights for fire and emergency vehicles. It is noted that the use of strobe lights should be monitored more carefully.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Shuman, M
• Publication Date: 1991-4

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 22-24
• Serial:
  • Traffic Safety (Washington)
  • Volume: 91
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Color; Emergency vehicles; Fire vehicles; Night visibility; Peripheral vision; Red; Strobes; Traffic safety; Visibility; Yellow
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00607464
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 30 1991 12:00AM