Flashing amber beacons - do you know the rules?

24 Tachwedd 2022

Flashing amber beacons are a vital piece of equipment to alert road users of slower, wider or longer vehicles on the road and the need to adjust speed and position on the road accordingly.

In September this year the Coroner in Sussex found that the type and position of amber flashing lights fitted to an agricultural trailer may have concealed direction indicators and have been a contributing factor in a collision which tragically resulted in the death of a motor cyclist.

What is the law?

The law is that any vehicle and trailer drawn by it with a maximum speed of 25 mph is fitted with an amber warning beacon when it is driven on an unrestricted dual carriageway.

What type of amber beacon is required?

The law says beacons must be capable of emitting a flashing or rotating beam of light throughout 360 degrees. Unidirectional lights must not be used.

Is there a minimum height for the fitting of a beacon?

Every warning beacon must be fitted so that the centre of the lamp is not less than 1,200mm above the ground.

Angle of visibility

The light shown by the beacon must be visible from any point at a reasonable distance from the vehicle or trailer drawn by it. This means it must be visible from the front, back and sides of a tractor or trailer.

Under no circumstances must a unidirectional light be fitted that could be mistaken for an indicator light.

For more contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 or download our Business Guides on transport.


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