Wig Wag - A Strange Word But An Effective Hazard Warning Tool On Emergency Vehicles.

All joking aside, a Wig Wag is something that is a useful tool in the hazard warning light world

. Emergency vehicles often have a Wig Wag fitted, and it is a device, which flashes the vehicles headlights at a preset rate. So far so clear, more often than not the Wig Wag will alternate flashing between the right and left headlight, sometimes on high beam. There are some devices that will flash both headlights together. The flashing of headlights on an emergency vehicle increases the visibility of a vehicle and acts as a hazard warning on stationary vehicles.

Some of the more sophisticated Wig Wag devices can alternate through several flash patterns in a cycle. Wig Wag devices are not something that is permitted on private vehicles. They are only to be fitted to emergency vehicles in the main. Although Wig Wag devices and the flash patterns they create can cause problems with other road users, especially oncoming traffic, they are a valid and useful warning sign. In some cases, the flashing of the Wig Wag will look like the vehicles headlights are malfunctioning, but they are set to specifically flash off and on.

The way we signal visually with lights has changed only a small amount over time. We have relied on light as a protector, a guidance tool and as a method of warning. Advances from gas and oil lamps led to mirrors being used to give light that is more powerful. From those humble and simple beginnings, we have been lead to the emergency lighting we use on vehicles today. A Wig Wag is just another method of focusing the light on a vehicle to draw attention to it. The flashing headlights with the lightbars and siren are a very noticeable method of warning.

It's not a nice thought but many drivers on our roads are acting under the influence of alcohol, drugs or prescription medications, or even just simple tiredness and are therefore classed as impaired. Getting the attention of such drivers is challenging and that is why emergency vehicles need to use all of the tools in their arsenal of warning and lighting equipment. A flashing headlight Wig Wag device will increase the visibility of the vehicle and therefore increase the safety of the personnel in or around it if it's stationary.

The flash patterns and the frequency of the flash will highlight a stationary vehicle, and the flashing is recognized normally as hazard warning. A stationary vehicle at the side of the road is a danger to other road users and it needs to be as conspicuous as possible. Banks of lights are effective as are single beacon lights. As a simple and effective method of warning, the Wig Wag devices are useful and used in many situations. Too much light can be as bad as too little light, so a balance needs to be struck on emergency vehicles to ensure that they don't dazzle or confuse others on the roads.

by: Sunil Punjabi

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