Traffic Advisor Light Bars: Your Guide to Directing Traffic Safely
At Ultra Bright Lightz, we offer a range of traffic advisor bars and stick lights. Traffic advisor light bars are specialized, linear LED devices designed to signal and direct motorists away from hazards, accidents, or work zones. Unlike ordinary light bars, these products feature distinct arrow patterns (left, right, or center-out), enabling precise control of traffic flow. They’re an essential piece of equipment for police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, and construction fleets that need to manage or redirect vehicles effectively on busy roads.
What Are Traffic Advisor Light Bars?
Traffic advisor light bars are row-style LED lights that can be mounted on the exterior or interior of a vehicle—commonly at the rear. Their defining feature is the ability to display arrow or directional signals, helping drivers see exactly where they need to go around a stationary or slow-moving vehicle. Equipped with multiple flash patterns, these bars also work as general warning lights when you don’t need to point traffic in a specific direction.
Key Features & Benefits
High-Intensity LED Technology
Traffic advisor light bars use powerful LEDs that shine brightly through rain, fog, or snow. They’re designed for maximum visibility both day and night, often in multiple color options—amber, red, blue, white, green—to meet specific industry or regulatory needs.
Directional Arrow Patterns
One of the biggest advantages of a traffic advisor setup is the preset arrow patterns. Whether you need to direct vehicles to move left, right, or split around a central point, these built-in sequences deliver clear visual cues. This is particularly helpful for emergency responders who must quickly reroute traffic around an accident scene.
Easy Installation & Mounting
Most bars come with sliding bolt channels or adjustable brackets, making it simple to mount them on your vehicle’s tailgate, rooftop, or rear windshield. Wiring can be done via cigarette lighter plugs for a quick plug-and-play solution, or hardwired into your vehicle’s electrical system for a more permanent setup.
Multi-Purpose Functionality
While traffic advisors excel at directing traffic, many models can also function as standard warning lights. This dual-purpose design means you can flash them in an attention-grabbing pattern to alert others of your presence, then switch to arrow mode whenever you need to control traffic flow.
Variations of Traffic Advisor Light Bars
Size & Length Options
Traffic advisor bars range from compact units of just a few inches up to full-length bars that span the entire width of a vehicle. Shorter options work well for smaller vehicles or discreet interior mounting, while larger bars are ideal for big trucks, utility fleets, or highway patrol.
Single-Color vs. Dual/Tricolor
- Single-Color: Commonly amber for traffic direction, perfect for tow trucks or construction.
- Dual/Tricolor: Often used by police and fire departments needing red/blue for emergency response plus amber for traffic routing.
Integrated vs. External Controllers
Some traffic advisors have built-in controllers, allowing you to change patterns on the fly without extra hardware. Others rely on external controllers or sync modules, which can be useful for coordinating multiple light bars throughout a larger fleet.
Common Applications & Industries
- Emergency Vehicles (Police, Fire, EMS): Direct motorists away from an accident or roadside emergency.
- Tow Trucks & Roadside Assistance: Alert drivers to move over or slow down while you’re hooking up a stranded vehicle.
- Construction & Utility Fleets: Safely guide cars around work zones or blocked lanes.
- Security & Volunteer Services: Create a highly visible signal in campus settings or event parking areas.
Installation & Usage
Mounting Techniques
Traffic advisor light bars are typically placed at the rear of the vehicle for maximum visibility to approaching drivers. Options include external roof racks, rear windows, or tailgates. Using universal brackets or bolt channels, you can often reposition the bar to find the perfect angle.
Power & Wiring
Most bars operate on a standard 12V supply. Plug-and-play models use a simple lighter adapter, while a hardwired approach involves connecting to your fuse box or battery for a neater, more permanent installation.
Syncing with Other Lights
If your vehicle already has emergency lighting—like light bars, grille lights, or dash lights—you can sync your traffic advisor to create a cohesive system. This unified approach ensures uniform flashing sequences and stronger visual impact.
Best Practices & Considerations
Regulatory Compliance
Different regions have different rules about which colors you can use and where lights can be mounted. Always verify local regulations, especially if you plan on using red or blue lights for traffic control.
Maintenance & Care
Regularly inspect your traffic advisor for loose brackets, worn wiring, or debris buildup. Clean the lenses to maintain brightness, particularly if you’ve mounted the bar externally and frequently drive in harsh conditions.
Choosing the Right Product
Consider your vehicle type, the complexity of your typical roadside scenarios, and your color needs. Do you require advanced arrow boards? Extra-long bars for highway patrol visibility? Or a more compact bar to fit under a rear windshield?
One Light, Endless Possibilities
Vehicle stick lights/traffic advisor lights are an industry favorite due to their lightweight design, versatility, and ease of use. They’re built with durable materials and weather-resistant technology, making them well-suited for exterior mounting. A sliding bolt channel simplifies the installation process and allows you to customize your stick light’s mounting position depending on your unique specifications.
By mixing and matching your LED stick lights, you can control the range and visibility from all sides of your law enforcement or emergency vehicle. Feniex stick lights also include takedown and work light modes for an extra boost of lighting power.
Our line of UBL Stick Lights are designed with a built-in controller, and feature pattern and directional-changing capabilities. With the touch of a button, you can quickly and easily transform your stick light into a traffic advisor and redirect motorists away from emergency or hazardous conditions on the road. Our stick lights also include a cigarette lighter plug for a fast and stress-free installation experience. These stick lights can also be conveniently charged into a hardwire emergency LED light.
A Reliable and Powerful Option for Any Vehicle
Our LED stick lights are available in amber, blue, red, white, and green. They can easily be used by police and law enforcement, first responders, construction and utility vehicles, tow trucks, and much more. They are slim and compact, but feature powerful light optics and a robust, long-lasting frame. Feel free to contact us if you need help finding the best LED stick light for your vehicle!
FAQs
How do I install a traffic advisor light bar on my SUV?
Securely mount using included brackets, run the wiring to a 12V source or fuse box, and test arrow patterns.
Are traffic advisor light bars legal on personal vehicles?
Often, amber-only bars are permissible, but local laws vary. Check state regulations to avoid color violations.
Can I use a traffic advisor as a regular warning light?
Yes, many models support multiple flash patterns—arrow modes and standard strobe or flashing sequences.
What’s the difference between traffic advisor light bars and stick lights?”
In emergency lighting, both terms can overlap. However, “stick lights” generally refer to linear LED bars with standard flashing modes, while a traffic advisor specifically includes arrow or directional patterns to guide drivers.
Additional Resources & Support
If you need brand-specific installation instructions or want to see these bars in action, look for video demos or user manuals provided by the manufacturer. If you have questions about compatibility or wiring, contacting the vendor’s customer service or technical support is the best route.
Traffic advisor light bars (sometimes called stick lights in the emergency vehicle community) offer an invaluable way to manage roadside hazards and steer traffic in the right direction. With various sizes, color options, and mounting methods available, there’s a perfect setup for every user—from volunteer firefighters to large construction fleets.
- Next Step: Explore the different traffic advisor models on our website or consult our knowledgeable support team for tailored recommendations.
- Remember: Safety and visibility are paramount, and the right traffic advisor light bar can significantly enhance your on-road presence.
By choosing a well-built, feature-rich traffic advisor, you’ll effectively communicate directions to oncoming drivers—reducing risks for everyone on the road.
