Going Green: Bill Expands Use of Green Warning Lights on Service Vehicles

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 -- 10:01 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) More trucks in Wisconsin may be “going green.”

You already see them on snowplows. Now a bill from Representative Calvin Callahan would allow green warning lights on utility, telecom and cooperative vehicles. “The lights can only be used when restoring utility services or repairing damaged infrastructure, meaning that it is reserved for more dangerous situations.”

For example, said Rob Richard with the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, removing fallen tree limbs after a snow or ice storm. “Then our utility guys could flip those green lights on those utility trucks to let them know what's going on.”

Scott Johnson asked the bill’s author Representative Calvin Callahan, whether the green lights really get drivers’ attention. “Maybe take their eyes off their phone, take their eyes off their computer, or whatever it is they think they're doing while they're driving.//Correct."

"You know there's studies done that blue on the spectrum is the most visible light. That's reserved for law enforcement. Green is the next light on the spectrum that is more visible to the eye. So this grabs the attention of a driver.”

The bill had a public hearing Tuesday in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

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