This is also why you’ll see truckers with red lights in the cab at night, and I believe it is blue light or some other color for the day time. Something or the other, I forget the reasons but I know it’s red and another color to help them stay awake and not be so hard on the eyes.
Yes it doesn’t constrict the pupils as much which rely on the rods and cones of the eye to regulate this in low light. Has nothing to do with stress on the eyes. I’ve been in law enforcement for 12 years if they we’re addressing stress on the job this wouldn’t be the first place to look I’ll tell you that for sure.
It's about the night vision. Red lenses don't inhibit your sight in the dark. It takes roughly 30 mins for your eyes to fully adapt to the dark. In the Corps, we trained by holding our dominant eye closed when we came across a light during a night mission. It also works well when you're making coffee in the morning and grabbing some creamer out of the fridge with the lights off.
Also, when you shine your red light straight down, it's very hard to see from the side angle by potential enemies. So, in a police car, it's a little more safer in today's criminal climate than using the typical dome light. And yes, sometimes I still use the "closing my Shooting Eye trick" in very non-strategic situations. LOL
I was going to say what has already been said it's less noticeable by the enemy or in this case criminals I still have an old MX I want to say 102 military flashlight somewhere in storage the army green plastic had the green blue red Amber and white lenses in the battery case cover I guess you would call it and I used to run the red light a lot of times at night because I didn't necessarily need to see as far but didn't want people to see me even the cheap spotlight I have now from Walmart came with a red lens cover and I use that all the time at night while I'm trying to round up the dogs
The MAIN reason can be found when researching why the navy uses red light inside the ships where they have electronics and radar, etc. They keep the rooms dark except for the red light. It’s waaay easier on the eyes. Also, When leaving the red room out into another part of the ship your eyes more easily adjust between the two rooms
Ex- BM3 here and yes this is exactly why the navy uses them at night. Also was told it's harder for enemies to see the ship also. That's why we have "dark rooms" between the interior of the ship and any door that leads to the outside deck
the sonar room on my boat used blue lights for night time operations. Red Lights were used in the Ship's Control room, in part, so that a white light wouldn't be seen through the periscope.
Red is used because it doesn’t mess your night vision. It’s used often where you have to see in dark conditions and switch back and forth to read or look at instruments.
When I was in the Marine corps they gave us red lenses for our moonbeam's (flashlight) to put in to read stuff at night, so I'd say it may be tied into that
Red light preserves night vision. This is the reason the dials on bomber and fighter aircraft that operate primarily in the dark are backlit red. It’s been in common usage since world war 2. It’s actually why a few car brands backlight their gauges in red light as well. VW is a company that comes to mind.
Navy uses red lights for multiple reasons but I was always told it's cause red lights are harder to see from a distance at night. So enemies can't tell where the pilot house of the ship is and it's easier for your eyes to adjust to the dark of night also
@@randytaylor1258 My own 2008 CVPI had same overhead front lamp...but it also had very comfortable large bucket seats...I could sit all day in it, no sweat.
I watched the cats when my mom went on vacation in October, she has a standing lamp in the living room with 3 white lights and 3 red lights, I found the red lights weren't as harsh, similar thought process I guess, though they're not college students up at the crack of dawn because they forgot an assignment and had an hour to do it.
Red is used to prevent being seen by others at night. So the police could sit and do paper work while sitting and watching a speed trap. Without you seeing a white light shining from the vehicle. This is the same reason all of our military uses red lights at night.
We used to go to red lights at night on board the ship I was on for night vision goggle operations. So the red or amber light is not visible at as far of a distance. It is not detrimental towards night vision goggles. And it also helps to preserve your night vision.
The added reason why they use red lights, is the travel distance of light of red light, compared to white light is large. Red light travels less distance that can be detected from the human eyes. Mainly useful for night speed traps while maintaining your eyes night vision dialation
Red lights were used in photo dark rooms when developing black and white film. It didn't expose the emulsion on the film. In a cop car, the red light has much less light scattering, and much lower color temperature, hence less eyestrain.
l believe it's more for the vision from inside the car to outside at night. In the military it was the same. However, studies showed that the red lights made personal more aggressive. So they were changing from red to blue. This is probably something that should be changed.
We use red lights at night in the Navy. I guess red lights don't travel as far in the night. Also you get real sleepy when it's dark and you got those red lights. Lol.
Green is easier on the eyes, that’s why clerks and such wore green visors and desk lamps had the green shades. red doesn’t effect night vision. That’s why the red lights here, and on boats and military flashlights etc.
Not true, the red light does not disturb your night vision, so when you get back out of the vehicle at night your vision is still adjusted to the dark. Officer Safety.
Red light also doesn't give your position away as easily as a white light would. Ever notice how they sit in dark corners blacked out, but you can barely see inside due to the red light?
I learned that back in 1974 when a Seaman in the US Navy. Ships’ spaces use red lighting at night as it doesn’t ruin your night vision. So, if you should step out on deck, your eyes don’t need to adjust to the darkness outside. That’s a safety factor when an Officer needs to step out his/her vehicle, they don’t to wait for the adjustment. We keep a dim red-lit nightlight in our bathroom. Makes a big difference going back into the dark hallway. - BG CTT1 (Ret.)
So the real reason its red is It illuminates the cabin less, therefore people can't see in it to sell if an officer in the car or not. It's for officer safety. In addition to that it doesn't affect your night vision as much.
It is not as visible in the dark from a distance, and it does not effect you vision at night. The same thing red light is used in some of the older tactle military aircraft so the pilots could read the check list etc and still be able to full see what was outside the canopy. It also was less visible to a foe that might be scanning the sky for any sign of you.
Two other things, 1 at night a red light doesn't give you night blindness like white light does when you go out of your car, it takes less time for your eye to adjust and 2 red light doesn't travel as far, so you its not as easy to telling there is a light as you would with a regular white light
My 2005 Crown Vic's interior lights are switched, it's the weirdest thing, the dome light is yellow, and the normal ceiling lights are red. It's interesting to see them the other way around.
Fun fact, it’s actually factory installed, and departments also had the option to have it either red, as seen in the video, or it could also be had in white light.
Red light does not affect your night vision. If the person was to get out of the stopped car and start shooting, and the cop was using a white light he would be not be able to see anything in the dark for up some period of time while their eyes adjusted to the dark. Green can be used for the same purpose as well. Aircraft cockpits have red lights, most military aircraft have green for the same reason while green also support night vision goggles.
Here's a fact that people might not know about eyes, brown eyes can take solar radiation better than blue, green and grey eyes. Also brown eyes adjust better/faster in low light situations than any other eye colour.
Red lighting is used in military operations areas, and on night patrols so as to not impact the visual acuity of night vision. This is due to the Purkyně effect, having to due to wavelength perception of the rods and cones within the eyes. That is why LEOs have the red some light, just as pilots, ship command centers, and other areas where night vision acuity is required, but the ability to read instruments, ops plans, documents, etc is required.
This is true - this is why car manufacturers who pride themselves on safety, often have either a red / orange backlit instruments. When your driving at night and your pupils are adjusted to the outside world where your looking - then looking back AND focusing on a colour closer to the darkness, rather than a bright colour, allows your eyes to work better and quicker and not strained and fatiqued - for long distance driving at night - like here in Australia. Most German cars, have had this for ages Again studies have been done, by Melbourne Unis on this. Alternatively, a dull electric blue, not green, not white, not yellow, not warm/cool: can also be effective. When in aged Care, and checking on residents mandatory, every hour and having to SEE movement - chest rising - using a dull red beam torch, was much less invasive than a white light. The red light is also more relaxing on the eyes. Traffic stop lights, tail lights, etc.
Police car: That dome light does not operate with the car doors. Unlike civilian cars, that dome switch must be operated manually so as not to alert subjects who are outside the car when an officer is getting out.
It’s to preserve your nigh vision. Also pirates didn’t wear eye patches because they lost an eye. It was to cover one eye when above deck, when they went below deck they would switch the patch to the other eye.
They were installed in over the road truck 🚚 back in the 80s and 90s. You want lose your night vision, when you have to pull over on the side of the road, and read your map.
For those who say "red lights don't travel as far as night", may I ask your theory as to why communications towers have red beacons from sunset to sunrise? Certainly planes need to see them a good distance away!
It's so you don't lose your night vision. It's not a good idea to exit your car going from bright to dark. Your eyes might not adjust quickly enough. Leaving you at a disadvantage if you find yourself in a life threatening situation.
Red lights also affect your night vision much less than white light. U-Boat crews would wear red goggles or use red lights before going up in deck at night so they could see ships.
My MK2 Ford Focus has two little red LEDs mounted either side of the map lights that are on when the headlights are on. They allow you to see the interior and instruments better without dazzling you or interfering with seeing outside of the car
Red light theoretically saves night vision but the brightness is also a factor so a deep red color will affect your eyes less while a bright red light has almost the same affect as blue, green, or white.
I learned in 1997, in Marine Corps boot, red light or that filter saves your night vision. Easier to see the words of your knowledge or locate another recruit. Came in SUPER handy during fire watch.
Yes, It Helps with night vision as your eyes don’t have to readjust especially in an emergency situation. It’s also doesn’t light up the interior like the factory dome light does in case someone wants to hurt the cop, like take a shot at them.
That color doesn't washout the Rodopsin chemical build up in your eyes (takes 30-45 minutes without white light to do this), like white light does, thus helping to maintain your night vision. BTW, blue light is easier on the eye than Red ..all US ARMY helicopter Instruments are illuminated in blue night light, because of this. Wake up at night to take a pee, can basically see everything in shades of gray. Close one eye, turn on the light, look around with open eye, turn light off...now try it again with the eye that was exposed to white light - Blind!!! Now, open the closed eye, and see in the dark again...rodopsin chemical still in there!!!
Red light doesn't constrict pupils as much as other colors, allowing the person to transition from red light to night vision more quickly. Amber light does the same, which is why most street lights are amber rather than white. Air traffic controllers also mostly work in red light at night, allowing them to quickly look outside at air and ground traffic.
It’s not about straining your eyes. It’s because your pupils don’t dilate as much so when you need to see anything else at night, there is not anywhere near as much of an adjustment.
The red dome light is to protect and preserve night vision. There are a lot of features in a police vehicle that are in the normal vehicles. That’s one of the minor ones. I think a major one is the reinforced roof. And some of them have reinforced trunk areas in case of a rear collision.
The one I bought from the city had a normal yellow bulb in it. That said, as a stagecraft worker in my past, I would often put red gels (thin plastic colored films) over the lens of the flashlights we used back stage during shows for this same reason. Also, the lens of that “ticket lamp” is like $30 to replace. Ask me how I know… 😓
Red and/green light of the correct wave length do not cause the pupil to contract. That in turn makes it so the eye does not need to readjust once the light is tuned off, preserving low light vision.
My parents lived across from a CHP Commanding officer, they use red lights inside to Not draw attention from motorists. They also drawl less power then a standard White light.
It's also easier to drive with a red light on inside the car then a regular yellowish white light the red light doesn't mess with your night vision as much that's also why it's in there
Red light also doesn’t penetrate the air as much. Meaning it’s hard to see from further away. That’s why when you hear of the Milatary and light discipline they are talking about not using white lights but instead a red light. Along with that your eyes will adjust to darkness faster with red light rather then white/yellow light 💡
Red light does not cause your pupils to constrict. Old army flashlights with the 90⁰ head on them also emitted red light for the same reason. It allows your pupils to remain dilated and adjusted for the dark. If seconds count, you can't be waiting for your eyes to adjust.
Also, red light doesn't travel as far. That's why navy ships switch to red lights at night so they don't give away their position. I'm assuming the same goes with cops but on a smaller scale obviously
Someone added a red bulb to that. Those older lights always have a clear bulb in them. Would pop off the cover and stick cardboard on the cover to reduce the light output or put the red taillight repair tape inside to make it red. Was always hard to find a red bulb in a store to replace it with. But they only came in white. The newer SoundOff brand once’s came with red leds in a circle, and a clear halogen bulb in the middle. I swapped one of the older style out for one of them first in around 07. They still sell the LED/halogen combo and they are in all the police vehicles from the factory now from GM, Dodge, and Ford. The best one is the red and white led combo, white is bright as heck. But if I had a vehicle with the halogen, I would get a replacement white led bulb. Not as bright but still better than the crappy halogen.
it also doesn’t negatively affect you’re vision at night
This is the correct reason. It wasn't about stress on the eyes.
Yep, one of the top reasons
This is also why you’ll see truckers with red lights in the cab at night, and I believe it is blue light or some other color for the day time. Something or the other, I forget the reasons but I know it’s red and another color to help them stay awake and not be so hard on the eyes.
Yes it doesn’t constrict the pupils as much which rely on the rods and cones of the eye to regulate this in low light. Has nothing to do with stress on the eyes. I’ve been in law enforcement for 12 years if they we’re addressing stress on the job this wouldn’t be the first place to look I’ll tell you that for sure.
@@300mag83 poor pussy pigs
It's about the night vision. Red lenses don't inhibit your sight in the dark. It takes roughly 30 mins for your eyes to fully adapt to the dark. In the Corps, we trained by holding our dominant eye closed when we came across a light during a night mission. It also works well when you're making coffee in the morning and grabbing some creamer out of the fridge with the lights off.
Also, when you shine your red light straight down, it's very hard to see from the side angle by potential enemies. So, in a police car, it's a little more safer in today's criminal climate than using the typical dome light. And yes, sometimes I still use the "closing my Shooting Eye trick" in very non-strategic situations. LOL
I was going to say what has already been said it's less noticeable by the enemy or in this case criminals I still have an old MX I want to say 102 military flashlight somewhere in storage the army green plastic had the green blue red Amber and white lenses in the battery case cover I guess you would call it and I used to run the red light a lot of times at night because I didn't necessarily need to see as far but didn't want people to see me even the cheap spotlight I have now from Walmart came with a red lens cover and I use that all the time at night while I'm trying to round up the dogs
I still use the one eye closed when headed to the bathroom at night.
I have an eye patch I wear when going around the house at night sometimes
@@trevorclausen6945 AAAARG Matey!
The MAIN reason can be found when researching why the navy uses red light inside the ships where they have electronics and radar, etc. They keep the rooms dark except for the red light. It’s waaay easier on the eyes. Also, When leaving the red room out into another part of the ship your eyes more easily adjust between the two rooms
Interesting stuff thank You 🙏
Ex- BM3 here and yes this is exactly why the navy uses them at night. Also was told it's harder for enemies to see the ship also. That's why we have "dark rooms" between the interior of the ship and any door that leads to the outside deck
Can confirm I'm canadian navy and that's exactly why we do it
In theatre we use blue
the sonar room on my boat used blue lights for night time operations.
Red Lights were used in the Ship's Control room, in part, so that a white light wouldn't be seen through the periscope.
Red is used because it doesn’t mess your night vision. It’s used often where you have to see in dark conditions and switch back and forth to read or look at instruments.
Exactly. The maker of this short had no idea
Same thing on a ship's bridge or sub's conning tower so your eyes don't have adjust when you go outside on watch.
I use Red for my 4 am Pee so it don't wake me up as much :P
When I was in the Marine corps they gave us red lenses for our moonbeam's (flashlight) to put in to read stuff at night, so I'd say it may be tied into that
"Tied into that" being that red light doesnt travel as far in space nor reflect off things as well as White light does. Thats why us 11s use them
@@greatvaluegav7434 yeah considering I'm a 0331, I know
It's about maintaining.your natural.night vision.
Yeah we used them in the navy too. Red light won't degrade your night vision.
Red light preserves night vision. This is the reason the dials on bomber and fighter aircraft that operate primarily in the dark are backlit red. It’s been in common usage since world war 2. It’s actually why a few car brands backlight their gauges in red light as well. VW is a company that comes to mind.
Navy uses red lights for multiple reasons but I was always told it's cause red lights are harder to see from a distance at night. So enemies can't tell where the pilot house of the ship is and it's easier for your eyes to adjust to the dark of night also
Red will not ruin your night vision.
Nice Crown Victoria, they are so badass
The front bench seat was crap and Ford heard it from every evaluation, but they were too cheap to replace. Hello.Dodge Charger!
@@randytaylor1258 My own 2008 CVPI had same overhead front lamp...but it also had very comfortable large bucket seats...I could sit all day in it, no sweat.
In the early 80's a red magic marker would transform your dome light into a dope light. It was tested quite extensively if I remember.
😂
I can't remember
Rods and cones in the eye. Red light doesn't make your eyes adjust harshly and preserves night vision
I watched the cats when my mom went on vacation in October, she has a standing lamp in the living room with 3 white lights and 3 red lights, I found the red lights weren't as harsh, similar thought process I guess, though they're not college students up at the crack of dawn because they forgot an assignment and had an hour to do it.
I turn the arm lamp up to the ceiling to deflect and disperse the light for lare night studying.
The red lights are for when your mom entertains. 😀
@@randytaylor1258 Meh, it was easier just to use the red ones until I had a zoom meeting.
Actually it's because your eyes adjust back to the dark alot easier, that's why rear lights on cars are red too.
Red is used to prevent being seen by others at night. So the police could sit and do paper work while sitting and watching a speed trap. Without you seeing a white light shining from the vehicle. This is the same reason all of our military uses red lights at night.
We used to go to red lights at night on board the ship I was on for night vision goggle operations. So the red or amber light is not visible at as far of a distance. It is not detrimental towards night vision goggles. And it also helps to preserve your night vision.
The added reason why they use red lights, is the travel distance of light of red light, compared to white light is large. Red light travels less distance that can be detected from the human eyes. Mainly useful for night speed traps while maintaining your eyes night vision dialation
The crown Vic will forever be the greatest fleet car of all time. No other patrol car still roams the streets 12 years after manufacturing ended
Yep, the undisputed GOAT, most reliable sedans of all time, love my Lincoln town car
It's bcuz ur eyes won't dilate with red. The other reasons are jus a plus. That's the prominent reason. Jus my $.02
Red doesn't affect your night vision as much as white light. The millitary uses that as well.
Red lights were used in photo dark rooms when developing black and white film. It didn't expose the emulsion on the film. In a cop car, the red light has much less light scattering, and much lower color temperature, hence less eyestrain.
l believe it's more for the vision from inside the car to outside at night. In the military it was the same. However, studies showed that the red lights made personal more aggressive. So they were changing from red to blue. This is probably something that should be changed.
We use red lights at night in the Navy. I guess red lights don't travel as far in the night. Also you get real sleepy when it's dark and you got those red lights. Lol.
I have one in my police impala. No red though. But super useful.
It's easy enough to change the bulb.
@@randytaylor1258how do you change to red
It's for night vision. This is why airplanes used to have red gauge lights as well, at least up until the glass cockpits took over.
Green is easier on the eyes, that’s why clerks and such wore green visors and desk lamps had the green shades. red doesn’t effect night vision. That’s why the red lights here, and on boats and military flashlights etc.
Not true, the red light does not disturb your night vision, so when you get back out of the vehicle at night your vision is still adjusted to the dark. Officer Safety.
Red light also doesn't give your position away as easily as a white light would. Ever notice how they sit in dark corners blacked out, but you can barely see inside due to the red light?
Red helps with windshield glare..Boats,planes ect..have them also.
It’s actually about not eliminating the officers night vision. It also doesn’t illuminate the officer in the car like a white light does
I learned that back in 1974 when a Seaman in the US Navy. Ships’ spaces use red lighting at night as it doesn’t ruin your night vision. So, if you should step out on deck, your eyes don’t need to adjust to the darkness outside.
That’s a safety factor when an Officer needs to step out his/her vehicle, they don’t to wait for the adjustment.
We keep a dim red-lit nightlight in our bathroom. Makes a big difference going back into the dark hallway.
- BG CTT1 (Ret.)
So the real reason its red is It illuminates the cabin less, therefore people can't see in it to sell if an officer in the car or not. It's for officer safety. In addition to that it doesn't affect your night vision as much.
That interior is a lot sicker than I expected.
Well that's twice now I've seen a crown Vic from the driver's seat.
I got to admire all of its features, from the backseat.
Dark adaption. Red doesn't turn your rods off. Keeps your cones from killing your night vision.
It is not as visible in the dark from a distance, and it does not effect you vision at night. The same thing red light is used in some of the older tactle military aircraft so the pilots could read the check list etc and still be able to full see what was outside the canopy. It also was less visible to a foe that might be scanning the sky for any sign of you.
That’s why pilots have these lights in the cockpit for night flying.
Two other things, 1 at night a red light doesn't give you night blindness like white light does when you go out of your car, it takes less time for your eye to adjust and 2 red light doesn't travel as far, so you its not as easy to telling there is a light as you would with a regular white light
My 2005 Crown Vic's interior lights are switched, it's the weirdest thing, the dome light is yellow, and the normal ceiling lights are red. It's interesting to see them the other way around.
Dude, at the begin you sounded like an OG transformer talking
Fun fact, it’s actually factory installed, and departments also had the option to have it either red, as seen in the video, or it could also be had in white light.
Red light does not affect your night vision. If the person was to get out of the stopped car and start shooting, and the cop was using a white light he would be not be able to see anything in the dark for up some period of time while their eyes adjusted to the dark. Green can be used for the same purpose as well. Aircraft cockpits have red lights, most military aircraft have green for the same reason while green also support night vision goggles.
That's why BMW gauges used to have an orange hue. Classic.
I feel like Patton Oswalt is narrating this
It allows you to maintain your night vision.
The guy below is correct. Red light does not constrict your pupils making it easier for their eyes to adjust to the darkness.
I was a paramedic for too long. We use these for writing charts going down the road so it doesn't hurt the partner's visual field while driving.
Red light also doesn't reflect out or around things in the dark as easily as other light so from a distance it's hard to see.
It also doesn't give away the position as easily when trying to catch speeders etc.
It's red so it doesn't wash out their night vision, that's kind of important
Yep, I miss my Crown Vic. She was easy to drive, but she couldn't avoid a guy changing lanes feet in front and slamming the brakes.
It is less noticeable at night from distance because red has a short wavelength.
It prevents what's called night blindness. They have been using red lights in aircraft for decades, military vehicles also have them
Here's a fact that people might not know about eyes, brown eyes can take solar radiation better than blue, green and grey eyes. Also brown eyes adjust better/faster in low light situations than any other eye colour.
that's why my tractor trailer cab glows red at night
Red lighting is used in military operations areas, and on night patrols so as to not impact the visual acuity of night vision. This is due to the Purkyně effect, having to due to wavelength perception of the rods and cones within the eyes. That is why LEOs have the red some light, just as pilots, ship command centers, and other areas where night vision acuity is required, but the ability to read instruments, ops plans, documents, etc is required.
This is true - this is why car manufacturers who pride themselves on safety, often have either a red / orange backlit instruments.
When your driving at night and your pupils are adjusted to the outside world where your looking - then looking back AND focusing on a colour closer to the darkness, rather than a bright colour, allows your eyes to work better and quicker and not strained and fatiqued - for long distance driving at night - like here in Australia. Most German cars, have had this for ages Again studies have been done, by Melbourne Unis on this.
Alternatively, a dull electric blue, not green, not white, not yellow, not warm/cool: can also be effective.
When in aged Care, and checking on residents mandatory, every hour and having to SEE movement - chest rising - using a dull red beam torch, was much less invasive than a white light. The red light is also more relaxing on the eyes. Traffic stop lights, tail lights, etc.
A lot of big trucks, like the one I drive, have red lights. When they don't, I installed one. All for the same reason.
Police car: That dome light does not operate with the car doors. Unlike civilian cars, that dome switch must be operated manually so as not to alert subjects who are outside the car when an officer is getting out.
It’s to preserve your nigh vision. Also pirates didn’t wear eye patches because they lost an eye. It was to cover one eye when above deck, when they went below deck they would switch the patch to the other eye.
They were installed in over the road truck 🚚 back in the 80s and 90s. You want lose your night vision, when you have to pull over on the side of the road, and read your map.
Semi trucks have them too. You can also turn them on to cut down on glare from other cars and they work amazing for it.
For those who say "red lights don't travel as far as night", may I ask your theory as to why communications towers have red beacons from sunset to sunrise?
Certainly planes need to see them a good distance away!
It's so you don't lose your night vision. It's not a good idea to exit your car going from bright to dark. Your eyes might not adjust quickly enough. Leaving you at a disadvantage if you find yourself in a life threatening situation.
Red lights also affect your night vision much less than white light. U-Boat crews would wear red goggles or use red lights before going up in deck at night so they could see ships.
It also saves your night vision. Pilots use red lights in the cockpit at night also
It also allows your peripheral vision to remain active. In essence you can still see your surrounding while also being able to see paperwork
The light is red for the same reason pirates wore eye patches,so that you can reacclimate to light or lack of light.
The red light helps to preserve your night vision. < Period! That's the ONLY reason why we ordered the lights to be installed in our cars.
My MK2 Ford Focus has two little red LEDs mounted either side of the map lights that are on when the headlights are on. They allow you to see the interior and instruments better without dazzling you or interfering with seeing outside of the car
Red light theoretically saves night vision but the brightness is also a factor so a deep red color will affect your eyes less while a bright red light has almost the same affect as blue, green, or white.
I learned in 1997, in Marine Corps boot, red light or that filter saves your night vision. Easier to see the words of your knowledge or locate another recruit. Came in SUPER handy during fire watch.
Many tractor trailers have these as well. Easy to read and still see outside.
Red light also isn’t easily seen from far away, so it’s useful for stakeouts too.
Red dome lights are in all semi trucks also. Well at least every one that I have driven since 1980.
Red lights don't make ur eyes have to readjust to the dark.
Dark sky parks for star viewing only allow red flashlights for that reason.
Yes, It Helps with night vision as your eyes don’t have to readjust especially in an emergency situation. It’s also doesn’t light up the interior like the factory dome light does in case someone wants to hurt the cop, like take a shot at them.
They do the same thing on naval ships during the night and general quarters. Also the basis for Red Alert on Star Trek.
I have used red lights to read charts as an aircraft pilot when I started in the 1960s.
The reason for Red Alert is the Military realized this too. Under red light, your eyes read better.
That color doesn't washout the Rodopsin chemical build up in your eyes (takes 30-45 minutes without white light to do this), like white light does, thus helping to maintain your night vision.
BTW, blue light is easier on the eye than Red ..all US ARMY helicopter Instruments are illuminated in blue night light, because of this.
Wake up at night to take a pee, can basically see everything in shades of gray.
Close one eye, turn on the light, look around with open eye, turn light off...now try it again with the eye that was exposed to white light - Blind!!!
Now, open the closed eye, and see in the dark again...rodopsin chemical still in there!!!
Red light doesn't constrict pupils as much as other colors, allowing the person to transition from red light to night vision more quickly. Amber light does the same, which is why most street lights are amber rather than white. Air traffic controllers also mostly work in red light at night, allowing them to quickly look outside at air and ground traffic.
Red interior lights are to preserve your night vision, so can see clearly when you get out of the car in the dark. Pilots also use these
The red light is also less visible from outside the vehicle.. military use them to read maps or whatever at night and have been for decades..
It’s not about straining your eyes. It’s because your pupils don’t dilate as much so when you need to see anything else at night, there is not anywhere near as much of an adjustment.
The red dome light is to protect and preserve night vision. There are a lot of features in a police vehicle that are in the normal vehicles. That’s one of the minor ones. I think a major one is the reinforced roof. And some of them have reinforced trunk areas in case of a rear collision.
The one I bought from the city had a normal yellow bulb in it. That said, as a stagecraft worker in my past, I would often put red gels (thin plastic colored films) over the lens of the flashlights we used back stage during shows for this same reason. Also, the lens of that “ticket lamp” is like $30 to replace. Ask me how I know… 😓
It's the same reason aircrafts instrument lights are red.
Red and/green light of the correct wave length do not cause the pupil to contract. That in turn makes it so the eye does not need to readjust once the light is tuned off, preserving low light vision.
Makes sense helping eye strain, I’ve been told its for better vision at night, also it would make a cop car harder to spot than with white light on
Red also won't cause glare on your windshield if someone is reading a map or warrant while driving.
My parents lived across from a CHP Commanding officer, they use red lights inside to Not draw attention from motorists. They also drawl less power then a standard White light.
It's also easier to drive with a red light on inside the car then a regular yellowish white light the red light doesn't mess with your night vision as much that's also why it's in there
The color red fuels anger, MAYBE that's why some are super violent for NO reason
Red light also doesn’t penetrate the air as much. Meaning it’s hard to see from further away. That’s why when you hear of the Milatary and light discipline they are talking about not using white lights but instead a red light.
Along with that your eyes will adjust to darkness faster with red light rather then white/yellow light 💡
Red light does not cause your pupils to constrict. Old army flashlights with the 90⁰ head on them also emitted red light for the same reason. It allows your pupils to remain dilated and adjusted for the dark. If seconds count, you can't be waiting for your eyes to adjust.
Also, red light doesn't travel as far. That's why navy ships switch to red lights at night so they don't give away their position. I'm assuming the same goes with cops but on a smaller scale obviously
all you need is a 1969 dodge charger body because it can fit perfectly on a crown victoria chassis
Red also doesn't reflect off of the windows, allowing you to see what is happening outside of the vehicle.
Someone added a red bulb to that. Those older lights always have a clear bulb in them. Would pop off the cover and stick cardboard on the cover to reduce the light output or put the red taillight repair tape inside to make it red. Was always hard to find a red bulb in a store to replace it with. But they only came in white.
The newer SoundOff brand once’s came with red leds in a circle, and a clear halogen bulb in the middle. I swapped one of the older style out for one of them first in around 07. They still sell the LED/halogen combo and they are in all the police vehicles from the factory now from GM, Dodge, and Ford. The best one is the red and white led combo, white is bright as heck. But if I had a vehicle with the halogen, I would get a replacement white led bulb. Not as bright but still better than the crappy halogen.