Each year many emergency vehicles are involved in collisions. The motorists involved said they "had not seen" the emergency vehicle. Accident reports verify these emergency personnel used their lights and sirens to attract attention as the y responded to their life-saving calls.

Are you as conspicuous as you should be? Do civilian drivers see you and get out of your way? Conspicuity is the ability to seize the immediate attention of all persons within a certain visual range. It is important because if you are seen, drivers can respond appropriately, and you will be safe.

There are two types of conspicuity: search and attention. Search conspicuity is when a driver is actively searching for you, which very few are. Attention conspicuity is when a driver is unaware of your presence but sees you anyway – when approaching an intersection or when you’re stopped on the road ahead.

When you drive an Emergency Vehicle equipped with a High-Visibility decal package, be prepared for some stares, pedestrians stopping in their tracks, and drivers carefully looking in their mirrors to see exactly what’s behind them. That’s the whole purpose behind a highly conspicuous emergency vehicle. If you’re THAT conspicuous, they’ll get out of your way. See for yourself.

Crestline Coach Ltd. of Saskatoon, Canada questioned the role visibility plays in emergency vehicle collisions. After literally searching the world for answers, Crestline learned that adequate research did not exist that established rules and guidelines for emergency vehicle conspicuity. To address this need, Crestline developed a series of measurements and calculations that rates emergency vehicle visibility in daytime and nighttime conditions. The Emergency Vehicle Conspicuity Scoring System (EVCON) is based on:

1. Fluorescent colors – Fluorescent colors are up to three times brighter than non-fluorescent colors. They are more visible and detectable in daylight conditions and are more conspicuous in peripheral vision.

2. Retroreflective sheeting – Large areas of light colors with high reflectivity in a Prismatic Grade provides the best visibility and safety at night.

3. Contrasting colors – Color combinations that are opposite on the color wheel create visual stimuli that attracts attention.

4. Pattern – Large square targets arranged in a checkered pattern allow for long distance identification. Well-defined color areas ensure optimum contrast in all operational environments.

For more information please visit Crestline Coach’s website at www.crestlinecoach.com.