You might have spotted purple emergency vehicle lights lately and felt a bit confused about what they're for. Most of us are used to the standard strobe of red and blue, or maybe the flashing amber of a tow truck, but purple is a relatively rare sight on the road. It's not just there to look cool or different, though. There's actually a very specific reason for that regal hue, and knowing what it signifies can save you from an awkward—or even illegal—driving mistake.
Usually, when you see those purple flashes, you're looking at a funeral procession. It's a tradition that's been around for a long time, but it has only recently started moving toward high-intensity LED lighting. The goal is pretty simple: keep the line of cars together and make sure everyone else on the road knows to show a little respect and patience.
Why funerals use purple lights
So, why purple? Why not stick with amber or white? To be honest, it's mostly about distinction. Red and blue are strictly reserved for police, fire, and EMS in almost every jurisdiction. If a funeral director used those, they'd be in a lot of trouble for impersonating an officer. Amber is used for everything from construction crews to snowplows, and if you saw amber lights, you might just think there was a stalled car or a wide load ahead.
Purple stands out because it doesn't mean "get out of the way" in the same aggressive sense that red and blue do. Instead, it's more of a "please stay back and let us pass" signal. It carries a sense of solemnity that fits the occasion. Over the last decade or so, more states have officially added purple emergency vehicle lights to their statutes to clarify that these are for funeral escorts and hearses.
The legal side of the purple strobe
It's important to remember that traffic laws are handled at the state level, which means the rules for purple emergency vehicle lights aren't the same everywhere. In some states, they are legally required for the lead vehicle in a procession. In others, they're totally optional, and some states don't mention them at all.
If you're driving through a state like Ohio or Florida, you'll see them quite a bit. These states have specific language in their books that allows funeral directors to use purple or a combination of purple and amber. The idea is to create a "visual shield" for the grieving family. When a long line of cars is following a hearse, it's easy for that line to get broken up by a driver who isn't paying attention. The purple light acts as a beacon, telling other motorists that the line of cars belongs together and shouldn't be interrupted.
Are they actually "emergency" lights?
This is where it gets a little technical. While we call them purple emergency vehicle lights, they aren't technically "emergency" lights in the way a police siren is. You generally aren't required to pull over to the right and stop when you see them approaching from behind, though it's a nice gesture of respect if you do.
However, once a funeral procession has entered an intersection—often led by a vehicle with these purple strobes—they usually have the right of way. Even if your light turns green, if that purple light is flashing and the line is moving, you have to wait. Cutting into a funeral procession is not only incredibly rude, but in many places, it'll actually get you a hefty ticket. The purple light is your warning that the normal rules of "who goes first at the four-way stop" are temporarily suspended.
Coroners and medical examiners
In some parts of the country, you might see purple emergency vehicle lights on vehicles that aren't part of a funeral line. Coroners and medical examiners occasionally use them when they're responding to a scene. Since they are often moving a body or heading to a sensitive situation, the purple light identifies them as a "death care" professional.
It's a bit of a niche use, but it's becoming more common as cities try to declutter the "light bar landscape." By giving coroners their own color, it prevents people from thinking a crime is still in progress (which blue/red would imply) while still letting people know that a government vehicle is on official business.
The technology behind the glow
If you go back twenty or thirty years, funeral lights were usually just a purple "beehive" lens over a standard halogen bulb. They weren't very bright, and in the middle of a sunny day, they were almost impossible to see. Modern purple emergency vehicle lights have changed the game because they use LED technology.
LEDs are great because they can produce a very specific "true purple" or ultraviolet-leaning hue that really pops. They also have different flash patterns. Instead of just a slow rotate, they can do triple-burst strobes or "wig-wag" patterns. This makes them much more effective at grabbing a distracted driver's attention. Let's face it, people are on their phones more than ever, so having a light that can actually cut through the visual noise of a busy street is a huge safety upgrade for funeral workers.
What should you do when you see them?
When you see purple emergency vehicle lights flashing, the best thing to do is just take a breath and be patient. Here are a few quick tips on the etiquette:
- Don't cut in: Never try to merge into the middle of a line of cars that is following a purple light.
- Don't honk: It might be frustrating to wait through two green lights because a procession is passing, but it's a short delay in the grand scheme of things.
- Yield the right of way: If the lead car with the purple light has entered the intersection, the rest of the group generally follows, regardless of what the traffic signal says.
- Don't pass: On a two-lane road, it's usually considered disrespectful (and sometimes illegal) to pass a funeral procession.
Buying and installing purple lights
You might be wondering if you can just slap some purple emergency vehicle lights on your own truck because you like the color. Generally speaking, the answer is a hard "no." Most states have very strict laws about what colors can be displayed on a vehicle while it's on a public road.
If you're not a licensed funeral director or a coroner, driving around with flashing purple lights could lead to your car being impounded. Even if you just have them on for a "show car" look, you usually have to keep them covered or disabled while you're on the highway. Always check your local ordinances before you decide to add any non-standard lighting to your ride.
A final thought on road safety
At the end of the day, purple emergency vehicle lights are all about communication. They tell a story about what's happening on the road so that everyone can stay safe. Whether it's a funeral director making sure a family gets to the cemetery safely or a coroner responding to a call, that purple glow is a signal for us to slow down and be mindful.
It's one of those little details of driving that most people don't think about until they see it. But now that you know, you won't be that person wondering why a "purple police car" is driving slowly down Main Street. You'll know exactly what's going on, and you can give them the space they need to do their job with dignity. It's a small way to keep our roads a bit more orderly and respectful for everyone.