Special Lights Could Soon Warn Motorists of an Oncoming Emergency Vehicle

Emergency vehicles in Trenton may soon be able to give other drivers greater advance notice at intersections.

Fire Chief Bruce Vick said that the city is planning on joining with other Downriver communities to install E-Light Emergency Vehicle Alert System signals at major road intersections.

According to Vick, the intersection at Fort and Sibley is the first one in Trenton that will have the signal installed.

“It’s for the general safety of both drivers and the emergency vehicles,” said Vick.

The lights are shaped like a fire engine, and automatically will start flashing when an emergency vehicle comes within 2000 feet with lights and sirens activated.

“It catches the eyes of people,” said Vick.

Vick said that 11 intersections will be a part of the first installation phase, chosen based on data from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments that listed them as the most dangerous. The plan calls for eventually fitting the signals to 31 intersections.

He added that the project wouldn’t cost Trenton citizens a dime, as it is being paid for by a federal COPS grant through the Downriver Community Conference.

Trenton’s city government is expected to finalize the details on their end at an upcoming council meeting.