Nobody is questioning why police lights are red and blue. But for sure, some are wondering why those two colours are among the various choices for a wide spectrum of visible light. So, why is it really the case?
Police lighting and colour association
While we are taking for granted the existence of colours around us, there is a working theory that is associated with the function of each colour. Be it to help us make decisions or influence our mood. The same principle is applied when choosing the colours of red and blue for a police lighting system.
Red is often associated with being alert and alive, which are the same reason why it is used by police enforcers to mean stop and warn the public. Also, police cars are using it to warn our brain that a danger is approaching or nearby. Red is something that we all respond to and make us cautious. No wonder why police lights often come in red as a warning system.
Now, why is it that red is not the only colour used in police cars? It is no longer the dominant colour nowadays. Is it not enough to provide a warning? It is still but there is more to giving a warning to it actually. This is where the blue colour is also considered. Blue is the another chosen colour for police lights because there are very few other blue lights used on the road.
The ultimate reason why these two colours are used together in police vehicles is because blue lights are easier to spot at night while red lights are much easier to see during daytime. Hence, their combination becomes more adaptable for both times of the day. So, overall it is worth noting that while the exact colours of police lights vary by territory, most are using red and blue.
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