Hey Tater Tot,I can spell goof!

Amazing the comments CHP cars still garner. The steady red spot dates back to days of old and pretty much have stayed that way. The Ca Veh Code requires one front facing steady red on all authorized emergency vehicles. As one reader explains, the shop just removes the lens, which some CHP old timers call "The ruby" and installs in a new car on the line. They've been using supplemental under mirror lights, from halogen to now LED as add on lights for some time and have the sequential orange sticks and more LED blue/reds on the rear deck. Heck, I just commented myself! My AF cop cars had to have the steady red even though we patrolled just on base because we wrote civilians a US Magistrate's ticket using the Ca Veh Code (CVC). as "assimilated law." . .

"Hey Titanic tub YOUR'E the stupid one"

Nonetheless, I can spell.

Hey Titanic tub your'e the stupid one.

I believe this has been discussed here before. If I remember correctly, units in urban areas are the ones with the roof numbers, but units in more rural areas (such as the high desert, I would assume), do not have roof numbers. I may not be 100% correct, but that's what I remember hearing.

OK I just checked the other photos. And I stand corrected, this one unit does not have the ID numbers. It is possible that it was just assigned to the area office, so it was not ID with those numbers belonging to the office yet, or... I don't know. But every unit I have seen in my 23 years in CA have had roof numbers.

Hey Jack. Thanks do not get on here much. Just moved to Missouri so still adjusting.

All CHP units, unless unmarked, should have roof numbers. They are for IDing the unit by air. The one above, does have numbers, but they are positioned further back on the roof.

And Jack is correct, only the blue flashes on these units. On the older units with the non-LED set-up, they only have a steady red light, and headlight flashers. Nothing else.

As for the KISS method, I have no clue. I wish they used more lights, or at least corner strobes, but I guess they feel if it worked before, it will still work?

"Could you also explain the KISS method of lights?"

Keep It Simple, STUPID

With an emphasis on the stupid part

I can tell you that the red side is steady but the blue flashes. And to PTR-Jason, it's good to hear from you again here.

PTR-Jason (or Alex), Do both halves of the red-blue LED unit flash, or is the red side steady burn like the spot light? (I know all emergency vehicles in CA must have at least one forward facing steady burn red light.) You mentioned that the slicktop units do not have any other front-side warning lights other than the red spot. Is vehicle an exception with the LEDs in the windshield, or is this a new trend in CHP slicktops that has not been fully implemented? Could you also explain the KISS method of lights? Thanks.

PTR-Jason, Do you know why only some CHP cruisers have roof numbers and some, like this one, do not? Are the ones assigned to metro areas the only one's with roof numbers?

CHP Does not use any type of hide-a-way strobe systems or anything thing else for intersection warning.

The spot light serves dual purpose as it can be moved around during the day time to get drivers attention to get them to yeild or to get them to stop at intersections so the unit can enter.

CHP Slicktop units DO NOT have any type of side warning, they only have front and rear facing lights, at night if blocking a road, the officer will park sideways across the roadway, then shine the light towards the traffic, therefore creating a "stoplight".

For officer safety, as you pointed out, it is not really needed, during graveyard hours, ALL CHP patrol units, except for the Sgt., are two man units, meaning there is another officer in the unit that can use the passenger side spot light. Also the steady read spot light is still a high candle power light, and can and does be used to illuminate a vehicle, just with a red glow.

I live in CA, CHP uses the KISS method when it comes to lights. That is why the units with light bars DO NOT have the red spotlight. The red light is moveable and can be moved anywhere.

On a personal note, I think they also keep it on the drivers side if they are searching the shoulder, or ditch for a vehicle, it is easier to do when they have a light closest to the shoulder, if the red was there, they would not be able to search very far when the hood gets in the way.

I know it's because of tradition that the driver's side spotlight is red on CHP slick-tops, but I think it would make better sense if the passenger side spotlight was red and left up facing forward. The driver's spotlight should be clear for searching and lighting up cars on traffic stops.