Toronto Police Snow Plows

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newtoscanning

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Alright...I know that flashing red lights (high rates) are for emergency vehicles only in Ontario, Police, Fire and Ambulance, the only other circumstance is the slow steady pulsing of hazard lights on some vehicles (others are yellow).

I also know that blue strobing lights were/are used on snow removal vehicles. In addition I know there was a blue light amendment made so that emergency vehicles could use both the blue and red lights.

I didn't know however snow removal vehicles were allowed to use flashing red lights.

Tonight is the third time that I've seen a truck, with no snow plow, that's escorting a snowplow, with flashing (strobing LED's) red a blue lights.

Can someone explain this to me? Cause now I defiantly can't tell the different between a cop and a snow truck.

Thanks
 

pathalogical

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School buses also have alternating red flashing lights. From a distance, it's stumped me a few times over the years, enough to make me tap the brakes...

What exactly do you mean by " can't tell the different between a cop and a snow truck" ? Not being mean to ya, but, 1) size of their respective vehicles is a very big difference 2) paint colour 3) a cop has a badge and a gun 4) a snow truck most likely has a load of salt. Can you clarify your question for us ?
 

torontokris

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I think he means from a distance as well he can't tell the difference anymore between cops and plos by the lights
 

exkalibur

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It's simple.

Blue only = Snow Plow

Blue with Red = Police

The red is always supposed to be on the driver side as well, so you can tell which way they're going.
 

ibagli

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He says there are red lights on snow removal vehicles, so that wouldn't work.
 

exkalibur

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I meant in general.

Then again, the HTA says that if you see flashing red lights behind you, you must pull over. So, it doesn't matter what it is behind you - you're still required to pull over and stop.
 

ve2vfd

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newtoscanning said:
Tonight is the third time that I've seen a truck, with no snow plow, that's escorting a snowplow, with flashing (strobing LED's) red a blue lights.

Could it have been one of those Vehicle Mechanincal Safety Inspectors (of whatever you call them in Ontario) trucks that was escorting a plow? You know the ones often based at weigh stations. (In Quebec we call them "SAAQ Controle Routier")

Just my 2 cents

Pat
 

newtoscanning

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Sorry for the delayed response,

It wasn't on the highway, it was on Gerrard Street in downtown Toronto. It isn't a snow plow, there is no plow, there is no sand, no salt. It is a regular pick up truck. It was displaying both red (not deep orange) and blue strobing (not alternating) LED lights. It was what appears to be 'escorting' actual snow plows with salt around.

The reason I meant it would be hard to tell if its a cop, cause a lot of the under cover units have just a row of the red/blue LED's, which is exactly what these pick ups have. Once you get closer, and see the city of toronto logo on the side, in addition to the lack of gun/badge you would figure it out, but from more than 150 feet you would never know the difference.

I just though as stated above blue/yellow = snow, yellow=everyone who wants a flashing light, red/blue/white (or combination there of) = emergency, green = volunteer fire/ems, purple = funeral. (I think I hit the rainbow).
 

greenhorn123

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Being a snowplower, here are a few rules

blue is only to be used when preforming snowplowing duties (you see the 4X4 pickup cruising around with it on all the time but that will be coming to an end)

yellow (caution) is always on when there is a blade (which is oversized) is on the road


there are no exceptions to the flashing red lights, no snowplow in ontario regardless of what they are doing can have flashing red lights, emergency vehicles, responding to a call, are the only ones that are suppose to have them - school buses also
 

Krookedatmosphere

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ve2vfd said:
Could it have been one of those Vehicle Mechanincal Safety Inspectors (of whatever you call them in Ontario) trucks that was escorting a plow? You know the ones often based at weigh stations. (In Quebec we call them "SAAQ Controle Routier")

Just my 2 cents

Pat


that would be called MTO -- Ministry Of Transportation

as for the pickups could of been parking control or even police blocking the roads off to allow the blower and the loaders to remove the snow from the streets...

I think it was Parking control getting cars to move or towed for the snow removal of the streets.. where all the snow was coming to my snowdump on blackcreek
 

EJB

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Did the city not decide to actually remove snow this year, seeing that winter did hit us hard?
This involves moving a great many cars, not surprised the city has its own tow trucks.
You are probably hearing these efforts.

I wonder if the PD tow trucks listen to scanners and then rush off the calls cutting you off, driving 100 clicks in a 50 zone.. oops was that out loud?
 

Forts

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greenhorn123 said:
Being a snowplower, here are a few rules

blue is only to be used when preforming snowplowing duties (you see the 4X4 pickup cruising around with it on all the time but that will be coming to an end)

yellow (caution) is always on when there is a blade (which is oversized) is on the road


there are no exceptions to the flashing red lights, no snowplow in ontario regardless of what they are doing can have flashing red lights, emergency vehicles, responding to a call, are the only ones that are suppose to have them - school buses also

The MTO plow (actually Steed & Evans I think) that I followed down the 402 last weekend had a blue strobe on the roof, and amber & blue blinkies on the rear of the truck.
 

newtoscanning

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I'll try an snap a picture of one next time I see it, as I said, it's a city of toronto truck. A regular chevy Silverado 1500 style. Not a cop, not a tow truck, it is in no way actively participating in the removal of snow other than escorting trucks on the street. It doesn't drive fast. It also isn't there when they have the giant snow blowers clearing streets.
 

exkalibur

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I in fact saw this truck, or a similar one yesterday. It is a City Works emergency truck. They are indeed allowed to run red lights.
 

Gearjam

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Strobes

I also own a snow removal company...We do run blue strobes on most pick ups...but also run Amber's...never red...I know blues strobes in the U.S. are for the PD...here In southern Ont. Blue strobes are for city plows, or trucks hired by the city(plow trucks). Amber Is for privately owned snow plow companies or construction and farm equipment.
 

sirsmiley

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In my town in ontario we have some new city run trucks and they have blue and amber lights that alternate but they also have little red led's that run vertically up the hopper on either side and they randomly strobe, so from a distance youd wonder what it is, but its only on the back and at that height you gotta know its a plow..from the front you just see blue and amber and headlights
 

gopherit

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To the best of my little knowledge. from years past. Red lights were allowed on faceing the rear. You could not use red faceing the front of the vehicle . years ago you could buy a 2 colour dome for your revolving lights, half red half orange. don't think the HTA has been changed that much.
Larry
 
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