Oneida County DPW Switches to Green Flashing Lights on Plow Trucks

County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced that Oneida County Department of Public Works plow trucks are now using green flashing lights as part of a pilot program to increase visibility and safety on winter roadways.

“Green lights have been used with positive results in other states since 2013,” Picente said. “Studies have shown that people see more shades of green than any other color, so utilizing them on our county plow trucks will make them more visible to more people than the customary yellow lights. I am confident that this pilot program will lead to safer roads for motorists, and our plow drivers, who work so hard to keep our winter roads clear.”

The Oneida County pilot program was initiated after New York State passed Assembly Bill A811A during the 2021-2022 legislative session, which allowed for the use of green lights — or alternating green and amber lights — on municipal vehicles being used for snow removal. The law currently applies only to municipalities and not to privately-owned vehicles.

As the official start of winter approaches next week, the public should be aware of the change in light color and slow down and use caution when they see the flashing green lights of county plow trucks.

Some of the DPW’s 25 plow trucks have already been outfitted with the flashing green lights and have been out on snow removal duty. The rest of the county fleet should have them installed by the end of December.