Blaulicht

Blaulicht is the term used in German-speaking regions for the blue emergency lighting mounted on official vehicles such as police cars, fire engines and ambulances. The blue flashing lights are used in combination with audible signals to indicate that a vehicle is responding to an emergency and to request other road users to yield the right of way. Modern Blaulicht systems typically rely on LED light bars or rotating beacons and are designed to be highly visible in daylight and at night.

The color blue is widely associated with emergency services in many European countries. Blaulicht signals are part of the broader system of emergency signaling, often referred to as a Sondersignal in legal texts. While Blaulicht is the most recognizable element, it is usually used together with sirens or other warning devices. In practice, the presence of blue lights signals that the vehicle has priority and may proceed or maneuver in ways normal traffic rules would not permit, within the limits of safety and applicable regulations.

Regulatory frameworks governing Blaulicht vary by country but commonly grant emergency vehicles priority over ordinary traffic. Drivers of other vehicles are required to yield, create a clear path, and avoid interference. Unauthorized use of blue lights is prohibited and subject to penalties, as are procedures that misuse or imitate emergency signaling.

In addition to police, Blaulicht is used by other emergency services such as fire brigades and medical rescue, and by certain official or publicly funded organizations. The term has also become widely recognized in media and everyday language as a shorthand for the live emergency response scene.