(1) All emergency lamps must meet the criteria established in RCW 46.37.320. In descending order of preference, these are:

(a) Conformance to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or((,)); if none((,))

(b) Conformance to current standards and specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers, or((,)); if none((,))

(c) Certified for compliance by any recognized organization or agency such as, but not limited to, the American National Standards Institute, the Society of Automotive Engineers, or the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

(2) Headlamp flashing systems may be used for authorized emergency vehicles owned and operated by law enforcement agencies, licensed ambulance companies, and fire departments. Headlamp flashing systems must:

(a) Have a circuit that alternately flashes only the high beams from the headlamps at a rate of ((sixty to one hundred twenty))60 to 120 flashes per minute per side.

(b) Be so designated that any failure to flash the lamps will not result in failure of the headlamp system to operate normally.

(c) Incorporate an override feature which must stop the flashing and provide full illumination from both high beam headlamps when the dimmer switch is in the high-beam mode.

(d) Have an indicator lamp included in the circuit to give a visible and unmistakable indication to the driver that the system is turned on.

(3) The following table outlines the color of emergency lamps to be used for each type of ((emergency)) vehicle.

(4) Green ((lights))lamps for volunteer firefighter and firefighter private vehicles must:

(a) Meet the requirements of SAE J595 except that the color of the lamp must be green as the color described in SAE J578.

(b) Be visible for a distance of ((two hundred))200 feet under normal atmospheric conditions.

(c) Not have a maximum light projected in any one direction exceeding ((three hundred))300 candle power.

(d) Be mounted no less than ((twenty-four))24 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands, or may be placed on the forward portion of the top above the windshield.

(e) Be mounted anywhere from the center of the vehicle to the left side thereof.

(f) Be used only for the purpose of identification and the operator of a vehicle so equipped must not be entitled to any of the privileges provided in RCW 46.61.035 for the operators of authorized emergency vehicles.

(5) Amber lamps must:

(a) Be mounted and be of sufficient intensity so as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic for at least ((five hundred))500 feet in normal sunlight.

(b) Be mounted as outlined in WAC 204-21-020 and as follows:

(i) Must be mounted so that the entire projected area of the lens is visible from all eye heights of drivers of other vehicles at angles within ((forty-five))45 degrees left to ((forty-five))45 degrees right of the front of the vehicle. If the light within these required angles is blocked by the vehicle or any substantial object on it, an additional ((warning))amber lamp must be displayed within the obstructed angle.

(ii) May be mounted at any height.

(c) Only be used on the vehicles described in subsection (3) of this section, when such vehicles are actually involved in construction, maintenance, or operations which require that warning be given to ensure the protection of the motoring public or the work crew. ((Warning))Lamps must not be illuminated while traveling to or from the site of operations. For the purposes of tow truck operations, the site of operations must be only that place where vehicles are attached to or detached from the tow truck. Lamps on pilot cars must be illuminated only while the vehicle is actually providing escort service. Lamps on rural newspaper delivery vehicles must only be illuminated when the vehicle is traveling on the delivery route. Lamps on oversize units may be illuminated when traveling on public roadways. The operator of these vehicles ((must))are not ((be)) entitled to any ((of the))other privileges provided in RCW 46.61.035 for the operators of authorized emergency vehicles.

(6) Three hundred sixty degree ((emergency)) warning lamps must meet SAE Standard J845.

(7) Nothing in this section relieves the operator of any vehicle from displaying any other light or warning device required by statute or regulation.

(1) The addition of a lamp, reflective device or other motor vehicle equipment must not impair the effectiveness of lighting equipment required by 49 C.F.R. Part 571.108, as it exists on February 22, 2022, or chapter 46.37 RCW.

(a) If a vehicle is in motion on a public roadway, the vehicle must not:

(i) Display aftermarket neon lighting devices.

(ii) Combine any type of letter, number, sign, symbol or combination thereof with an eye level brake light meeting the standards of 49 C.F.R. Part 571.108 (FMVSS 108). No function other than red reflex reflectors will be combined in eye level brake lights.

(iii) Have a lighted or electrically/mechanically powered sign or message board enabling change or movement of any displayed message to be displayed or affixed to the vehicle. Except:

(A) Vehicles that are used in conjunction with officially sanctioned or sponsored motor vehicle traffic control or movement may display lighted or electrically powered signs to assist in the efficient control of traffic movement on public roadways. The signs must be designed, worded, and located to limit misinterpretation and confusion by the motoring public.

(B) Electric signs may be unitized to identify taxicabs and the destinations of mass transportation vehicles. These signs must not contain any commercial or personal message and must be designed, worded, and located so that it is clearly differentiated from other required motor vehicle lights.

(b) If a vehicle is not in motion and parked on private property, the vehicle may use aftermarket lighting except as outlined under RCW 46.37.180.

(c) This section is not intended to prohibit a scrolling sign provided that the scrolling sign must:

(i) Be powered by an external source or in a manner which does not cause the required equipment on the vehicle to be out of compliance with 49 C.F.R. Part 571, chapter 46.37 RCW or Title 204 WAC.

(ii) Not be lit.

(iii) Not have continual motion.

(2) Pursuant to Title 49 C.F.R. Part 571.108, the addition of an aftermarket style ornament or other feature such as tinted plastic glass covers, a grille or slotted covers must not be placed in front of the headlamp lens, or in front of any other lighting devices installed on motor vehicles which impair the effectiveness of lighting equipment required under 49 C.F.R. Part 571.108 (FMVSS 108) or chapter 46.37 RCW. Except:

(a) Clear aftermarket headlamp covers.

(b) Headlamp wipers may be used in front of the lens provided that the headlamp system is designed to conform to all applicable photometric requirements in 49 C.F.R. Part 571.108 (FMVSS 108) with the wiper stopped in any position in front of the lens.

(c) A bike rack may be installed on the front of a municipal transit vehicle (as defined under RCW 46.04.355) provided that even with the bike rack installed, loaded or unloaded with bicycles, the headlight system still conforms with all applicable photometric requirements in 49 C.F.R. Part 571.108 (FMVSS 108).

(3) Red emergency lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle, a law enforcement vehicle, an emergency tow truck as defined in WAC 204-21-020(8), school buses, and private carrier buses.

(4) Blue lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than a law enforcement vehicle as defined in WAC 204-21-020 and a fire department vehicle as authorized in RCW 46.37.184.

(5) Flashing white lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than authorized emergency vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, school buses, and emergency tow trucks as defined in WAC 204-21-020.

(1) Authorized emergency vehicles must be:

(a) Conventional passenger cars, vans, pickups, or similar vehicles;

(b) Conventionally painted; and

(c) Legally equipped in conformance with RCW 46.37.190(1) with at least one lamp capable of displaying a red light visible from at least ((five hundred))500 feet in normal sunlight and a siren capable of giving an audible signal. Such equipment must not be installed prior to obtaining approval of the application and issuance of a temporary certificate of approval for the vehicle(s) by the patrol. To be considered approved equipment for use under the provisions of this section, all devices must meet the criteria established in RCW 46.37.320. In descending order of preference, these are:

(i) Conformance to current standards and specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers, or; if none

(ii) Certified for compliance by any recognized organization or agency such as, but not limited to, the American National Standards Institute, the Society of Automotive Engineers, or the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

(2) Authorized emergency vehicles must not:

(a) Be equipped with blue lamps except as provided in RCW 46.37.184 and WAC 204-21-230(4).

(b) Display commercial signs, posters, or pictures.

(c) Carry or attach to the outside of the vehicle equipment, not related to the emergency nature of the vehicle.

(d) Display or use any name that includes the word "police" or "law enforcement" or other word which portrays the individual or business as a public law enforcement agency.

(3) Authorized emergency vehicles may, in addition to the required equipment, have:

(a) An amber or white lamp on their vehicle as outlined under WAC 204-21-130;

(b) Signal preemptive device as outlined in RCW 46.37.670;

(c) Flashing or strobing headlamps;

provided that such equipment is listed on the application and approved by each primary jurisdiction and the patrol.