Motorists issued 'red lantern' warning due to new driving law in UK from this week

Traffic and cars on Nottingham Road, Derby
-Credit: (Image: Derby Telegraph)


A new traffic regulation will commence this week permitting the use of "red lantern" warning lights as safety signals for drivers. The Department for Transport has eased the restrictions on red warning triangles, which previously were permitted only during emergencies.

The modification allows vehicles involved in breakdown recovery, tyre services, and roadside recovery to apply to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for the authorisation to utilise the lamps, making them a common sight during such operations, Birmingham Live reports. RAC's chief operations manager, Dom Shorrocks, commented: "Being able to use red flashing lamps will unequivocally improve the visibility of roadside workers and help save lives."

He also mentioned, "There have been too many tragic collisions where lives have been lost involving stationary recovery vehicles at the sides of high-speed roads where more prominent red lights might have made a difference."

Additionally, Prose declared: "We are now in a position to proudly announce that the application for all Roadside Recovery, Removal and Tyre industry operators to apply for a Vehicle Special Order (VSO) is now live. A VSO will allow operators or technicians to use Red Lamps on their vehicles."

The statement read: "Journey of Red Lamps for the Recovery Industry has been a long one but for PROSE to be asked to become part of it for the past nine months has been an honour. It has seen several challenges along the way including a general election which has delayed things somewhat."

"However the past few months has seen significant discussions and meetings with the Department for Transport (DfT) to get us to this point today. In addition many industry partners have been working very hard to ensure the appropriate training required has been developed."

"We are now in a position to proudly announce that the application for all Roadside Recovery, Removal and Tyre industry operators to apply for a Vehicle Special Order (VSO) is now live. A VSO will allow operators or technicians to use Red Lamps on their vehicles."