Beacons

Beacons are special lights used to increase the visibility of vehicles, especially in situations where extra alertness is required. You often see them on emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and fire trucks, as well as on vehicles performing road or agricultural work. They are usually orange in color, but can be other colors depending on the type of vehicle and the situation.

The purpose of a flashing light is to warn other road users and ensure that they keep a safe distance.

In the Netherlands, you do not need a special permit to use orange flashing lights. These lights are intended for vehicles performing work or in emergency situations. However, if you want to use a blue flashing light, you should know that it is only allowed for emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance.

It is important to follow these rules to avoid confusion on the road.

Halogen beacons are the traditional variant and work with a rotating mirror to spread the light. They consume more energy (between 70 and 90 watts) and have moving parts that can wear out. LED beacons, on the other hand, have become more modern and popular. They use much less energy, have a longer lifespan and contain no moving parts, which means they require less maintenance.

In addition, LED beacons can create different flash patterns, making them more versatile to use.

It is important that beacons meet certain certifications to ensure that they are safe and effective. One important standard is ECE R65, which requires the light signal to be visible around the vehicle from a distance of 20 meters. This helps other road users respond to the vehicle with the flashing light in a timely manner.

There is also ECE R10 certification, which guarantees that the light will not interfere with other electrical devices in the vehicle, such as the radio or navigation systems.