Drivers Complaining About Flashing Lights in Their Rearview Mirrors
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
May 24, 2025
GULF SHORES Ala. These days drivers have become accustomed to the
emergency flashing lights of police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances that often come from behind us or from the opposite direction and we know to pull to the right.
Recently, with the large amount of construction happening in our area, other vehicles are also on our roadways with flashing lights. But these, are not emergency vehicles and drivers do not have to give them the right-of-way.
Green, clear, and yellow lights, are frequently being operated by construction vehicles, up and down local roads and the Interstates.
Some of these vehicles have been seen speeding, tailgating and in one incident, honking their horn while riding on the bumper of the vehicle in front of them.
Construction vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger cars that are either owned by a business or by the operator of the vehicle may operate these lights only when they are on private property such as a shopping mall or construction site, or while parked on the side of the road at a worksite and only for safety purposes according to county and state law enforcement.
In one incident, a woman traveling northbound on County Rd 27/US Highway 181 from the Magnolia Springs area to the Fairhope Walmart, noticed a white pick-up truck with a green and white lightbar that was flashing bright, and lights in the truck’s window and clear lights flashing from the grill area.
At first, the driver thought it might be law enforcement or an emergency vehicle, as the truck was following very closely behind her.
The woman reported that the incident shook her up.
Other vehicles including tow trucks, dump trucks, some freight haulers, or vehicles with wide loads also use yellow flashing lights to warn drivers of the dangers when trying to pass these vehicles.
In Alabama, even volunteer firefighters cannot use red lights or sirens on their private vehicles when responding to service calls.
Generally in Alabama, most law enforcement use either all blue or a combination of red and blue emergency lights on their government vehicles.
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