What It Means When Cops Have Non-Flashing Blue Lights in Maine

For most people who hop behind the wheel of a vehicle, there's a few simple things that are universally accepted. One of those things is that when you see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle, you move to the side of the road and make room for them to get by.

Flashing blue lights on police vehicles have been a standard forever. But you may have noticed a new tactic used by police in Maine and wondered what it was all about.

Why Some Police Cars in Maine Will Use Non-Flashing Blue Lights

In non-emergency situations, you may come across police in certain parts of Maine that will have their blue lights on but in a non-flashing capacity.

It's called a "steady burn" and it's a tactic that has become more popular with police forces across the country in recent years. The idea behind the "steady burn" is to make police more identifiable with the hopes to deter crime, slow down drivers or just make neighborhoods feel safer in general.

What To Do If You See a Police Car With 'Steady Burn' Lights in Maine

While it's the law in Maine to pull over for a police vehicle with flashing blue lights, the same law does apply for a police vehicle using "steady burn" lights.

It is not required by law to pull aside for a "steady burn" police vehicle. Instead, you should continue driving normally while being aware of an officers presence and abiding by all driving laws in the process.