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Towns present data supporting green strobe lights to protect public‑works crews
Summary
Public‑works directors from Norfolk and Westminster presented pilot findings showing motorists slowed more for green strobe lights than for amber lights; they urged the committee to allow municipal use so crews are easier to spot in inclement weather and reduce work‑zone crashes.
Public‑works officials urged the committee to permit green strobe lights on municipal emergency management vehicles, presenting pilot data that they said shows motorists slow more for green strobes than amber.
Pilot results and rationale: Blair Crane, Norfolk director of public works, described a three‑year pilot and data collection showing average speed reductions of 23 miles per hour in rural settings and more than 11 miles per hour in built‑up areas when a green strobe was used on municipal vehicles. Norfolk’s study also found 97% of traffic slowed when presented with green strobes versus 58% with amber strobes on the same vehicles and routes. Crane and Westminster’s Kevin Collins told the committee green is more visible in adverse weather and reduces driver complacency because it is less commonly used by private vehicles.
Why towns support it: Witnesses said municipal crews are regularly exposed during snow and storm responses and road maintenance; green strobes would make crews more visible and reduce crash risk without large taxpayer costs because they can often be fitted to existing lighting fixtures.
Discussion vs. next steps: Proponents urged a change in state law to permit municipal green strobes (the bills would amend Chapter 90 language). No vote or formal committee action was recorded in the transcript; proponents asked lawmakers to adopt the change so towns can expand the pilot without regulatory uncertainty.
Ending: The committee heard pilot results and expressed gratitude for the testimony; municipal advocates asked for timely statutory permission to standardize the green strobes for public‑works safety.
