Western Power is asking the community to be aware of its emergency vehicles when on the road and give way when needed.
To help support the identification of emergency vehicles, Western Power are installing new red and blue emergency lights on its emergency response fleet.
Executive Manager of Asset Operations Zane Christmas said the dual-coloured lights aim to increase visibility and awareness of Western Power emergency vehicles helping to ensure public safety and the safety of Western power emergency crews.
“We have been working under red lights for over 20 years. In that time the volume of traffic on the roads has increased significantly and the number of emergency response requests we receive has doubled,” Mr Christmas said.
“The new lights increase the visibility of our emergency vehicles which will enable our crews to more efficiently and safely navigate through traffic, reducing the risk of any potential accidents.
“Our role in emergencies is to ensure community safety by making electrical hazards safe and securing the area so other emergency first responders can safely do their work.
“This is the first step in any emergency where there could be live electricity such as a vehicle accident involving a power pole, fallen power lines due to storms, or building fires.”
Western Power emergency vehicles operate under the same authority as ambulances and fire and emergency service vehicles.
The proposal for the new red and blue lights was developed in partnership with the Department of Transport with the aim to increase public recognition and road safety.
Mr Christmas is urging road users to remain vigilant and be aware of emergency vehicles operating under lights and sirens.
“We’d like to remind drivers to give way to Wester Power emergency vehicles when they're operating under lights and sirens - this includes pulling over when safe to do so and allowing them pass.”
“We only use our lights and sirens in the event of a genuine emergency. By moving aside and allowing these vehicles to get to incidents quickly, you are helping to ensure those involved can receive the help they need quickly and safely.”