A constant concern for today’s police vehicles is the amount of energy needed to run them. In short, police cars are power hungry. Between the added rooftop lights, interior light bars, sirens, cameras, radars, and computers, the vehicle’s energy systems are under great strain. Even though many fleet managers modify the cars to increase their energy output, such as installing extra batteries or adjusting the alternator, the car can barely keep up with the demand for electricity. This is a serious concern because the last thing a police officer needs is for their car to die on them while they are handling an emergency situation.

The long term solution is to trim down the vehicle’s energy needs. However, most of the equipment the police car has installed is necessary for the officer to effectively do his or her job. One area that might be up for negotiation is the interior light bars. Most fully marked police cars come equipped with a generous amount of light. They have roof top light, dash and deck lights, grille lights, and front and back flashers. This is so they can generate and maintain the highest level of visibility while on the road. But when it comes down to it, are the interior lights really necessary?

While the officer may not need that much light during the day, at night, that extra light does come in handy. Therefore, in lieu of removing the interior light bars, an alternative would be to switch to LED light bars. LED light bars use about one-fourth to one-fifth the amount of electricity drawn by incandescent, strobe or halogen lights. For a police car that uses the amount of electrical juices that fleets do today, that is quite a savings and allows for the use of other equipment.

But LEDs are just for interior light bars. You can replace pretty much your entire lighting system with LED lights and save an immense amount of energy. Although they are more expensive than other kinds of lights, in the long run you will actually save money. In addition to being energy efficient, LEDs last longer, are more durable, vibration resistant and smaller than their counterparts. Yet they are able to shine bright enough to be seen in the harshest sunlight. When considering how to make your police car fleet more energy efficient, instead of trying to remove parts, look into switching over to ones that are more energy efficient. You’ll meet your vehicle’s energy needs as well as the needs of your officers at the same time.

Mini light bars mostly just are a smaller version of the typical flashing lights that are located on the top of emergency vehicles, such as police cars, ambulances, paramedic vehicles, and fire trucks, and tow trucks.  They can be used in lieu of the larger lights if the vehicle’s use accommodates the lesser lighting capability.  The use of mini bars instead of the larger and longer light bars has been incorporated on many vehicles, including some vehicles used for stealth and undercover purposes.

The use of mini light bars has been around for a long time.  They are really convenient because they do not require an intense and very involved installation.  They are great for “on the fly” use.  They can be mounted outside the vehicle, but also many times are mounted on the interior of the vehicle as well.  This is common for vehicles that are not trying to look like a police car.  Sometimes they are not always mounted before their regular use and are put up on the deck interior only when it is time for a pursuit.

Another use of mini light bars is for tow trucks and other vehicles that simply need to warn surrounding traffic of an issue ahead or otherwise in the area of the vehicle with the mini light bar on it.  For example, one common use of the mini light bar is the tow truck.  A tow truck often just uses a smaller, amber light.  The purpose of this smaller light is to warn others who are driving nearby to use caution.  Sometimes, a tow truck that is in the process of towing a vehicle will use the light to keep others aware of what is happening.  Also, snow plows and other miscellaneous vehicles use them as well.

One final use- for mini light bars that is not so typical or common is for decorative or entertainment purposes.  Many people use them to decorate bars, their party basements, or just to decorate for a particular party and then put them away.  It makes a good flashing light that people can use to light up an otherwise dark area in their home during a party, such as a basement.  There are many uses for the mini light bar, from police work to emergency services, and even for those throwing a happening party.  You never know what uses people will come up with next!