In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will authorize the use of emergency LED warning devices in Pennsylvania that will enhance road safety for emergency responders, roadway maintenance workers, and drivers.  

 

Presently, emergency responders and maintenance workers may use road flares to warn drivers of upcoming roadway maintenance work or emergency incidents. However, these devices may poorly warn drivers or create hazardous situations. Road flares have a standing height of around eighteen inches and have an open flame that burns for at most thirty minutes. At such height and length of burn time, drivers may not see the flare or become aware of road work or an accident. Additionally, an open flame creates a fire hazard if it catches a vehicle or surrounding material on fire. With these conditions, drivers may not be adequately safe on the road when presented with road work or accident cleanup.

 

To resolve this issue, my legislation would authorize the use of emergency LED warning devices. Instead of using a hazardous open flame that provides very little illumination for a short time, emergency responders and maintenance workers can set up LED lighting devices on tripods with a standing height of 30 inches, a  360-degree revolving light burn, and a visibility requirement of two thousand feet.  With these requirements, drivers will receive adequate warning for dangerous road conditions.

 

Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact Isaac Evans in my office at 717-787-9684 or ievans@pasen.gov.