In the Netherlands, the ''Regulation on Optical and Audible Signals 2009'' clearly defines who is permitted to use warning signals and under which circumstances. It also specifies which types of warning signals may be used and the requirements they must meet when installed on vehicles.
Read on for more information or contact our sales department with any questions.
Not everyone is permitted to use warning signals on public roads. The services authorised to use priority warning signals—blue warning lights and a two-tone siren—are specified in this legislation. In addition to the police, fire brigade and ambulance services, these include organisations such as Rijkswaterstaat, ProRail Incident Management and Customs. The legislation also clearly defines when amber warning lights may be used, for example during work carried out on or alongside the carriageway or when escorting exceptional transport.
Various types of warning equipment may be installed on a priority vehicle. A siren and primary warning lighting in blue and amber are mandatory. Additional warning options may also be installed and used where permitted. The regulations for amber warning lighting are the same for emergency vehicles and other authorised users.
Every emergency vehicle must be equipped with primary blue warning lighting. The lights must be installed so that they are visible from a distance of 20 metres from all sides of the vehicle and from a viewing height of 1.5 metres above the road surface.
The warning lighting must either be certified as one complete system in accordance with ECE R65 Class 2 or consist of individually ECE R65 Class 2-approved lights that together provide 360-degree visibility.
When an emergency vehicle arrives at the scene, the blue warning lights must be switched off and the amber warning lights activated. The requirements for primary amber warning lighting also apply to vehicles used for roadside assistance, contracting work, exceptional transport escorting and incident management.
These vehicles must use primary amber warning lighting. The lights must be installed so that they are visible from a distance of 20 metres from all sides of the vehicle and from a viewing height of 1.5 metres above the road surface.
The warning lighting must either be certified as one complete system in accordance with ECE R65 Class 1 or consist of individually ECE R65 Class 1-approved lights that together provide 360-degree visibility.
A priority vehicle must always use a siren when operating as such. In the Netherlands, a two-tone siren is required, with the tones alternating at intervals of between 0.5 and 2 seconds. The frequencies are approximately 375 Hz and 500 Hz.
The siren must be clearly audible. To verify this, every vehicle is tested and must achieve a minimum sound pressure level of 110 dB. The measurement is taken at ground level, seven metres in front of the vehicle.
A night mode may be used during night-time hours. In this mode, a reduced sound pressure level of at least 100 dB is permitted.
When primary warning lighting is in use, one set of secondary blue warning lights may also be used. This set must be installed at the front of the vehicle at a height of between 0.4 and 1.2 metres above the road surface. The set must be certified in accordance with ECE R65 Class 1.
A priority vehicle may use alternating high beams during daylight hours in combination with its primary warning lighting. With this function, the high beams in both headlights switch on and off simultaneously.
This function may not be used at night and must therefore always be capable of being switched off.
Certain emergency service vehicles require a green light that is visible from all directions. This light may only be used while the vehicle is stationary. No specific approval or certification is required for this type of warning light.
Warning lights installed on a vehicle must carry ECE R65 approval. To obtain this approval, the light module must be tested and approved by an accredited testing body. The tests cover light intensity, light colour, flash frequency and light distribution angles, as well as factors such as water resistance and vibration resistance.
Warning lights can be tested using different methods. The most common are directional testing, known as X approval, and 360-degree testing, known as T approval. Please contact our sales department for further information.
The warning lights installed for the practical applications described below must comply with the aforementioned Regulation on Optical and Audible Signals 2009. Warning lights that are not ECE R65 approved or have been installed incorrectly may result in you being held legally liable, as the necessary measures to prevent or reduce the hazard may not have been taken.
Amber attention lights are used to warn other road users that a potentially hazardous situation is present and that additional caution is required. The lights operate alternately, meaning that the upper and lower pairs flash in turn.
Grille lights may only be used to support the primary amber warning lights. They may only be switched on while driving on the hard shoulder or between lanes of traffic. They must always be switched off when the vehicle is stationary and may never be used on their own.
When placing or removing traffic barriers and other temporary traffic-management measures on the carriageway or hard shoulder, all vehicles must use their amber beacons.
A works vehicle entering a closed-off work area briefly uses its amber beacon. This helps prevent traffic behind the vehicle from following it into the closed-off area.
A works vehicle leaving a closed-off work area also briefly uses its amber beacon. This indicates that the vehicle is rejoining normal traffic.
A works vehicle stationary on the hard shoulder uses alternating warning lights. An amber beacon may only be added as an additional warning signal when weather conditions severely restrict visibility.
A works vehicle stationary outside the designated work area, within the obstacle-free zone, uses alternating warning lights. The use of an amber beacon is prohibited when the vehicle is positioned on the roadside verge.