Trendy Korean fire engines
Ridiculous as it sounds the state-run National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will hire designers to update the color scheme of the traditional red fire engines.
Their rationale is that the color red:
- has been used since the 1960s –> which implies the color red is not hip enough in today’s society
- is associated with aggression –> so they call for softer and brighter colors
Thus, they point out that the colors yellow or greenish-yellow are more visible under dimmer conditions when compared to the incumbent color. (How can you not miss the blaring emergency light show in your rearview mirror?)
The agency is also considering giving different color schemes according to the particular function of the emergency vehicles.
Sitting out in Seoul traffic, I doubt the bright yellowness of a oncoming fire truck will be effective in clearing the roadways. The agency should look into the root problem of why drivers refuse to clear way and impede in the path of emergency/rescue vehicles. And, not because its vehicles should have a “trendier look.”
Comments
The phenomenon of emergency vehicles mired in traffic is one of the things that really stood out when I was in Korea. As a Candian, I’ve just always assumed that clearing a path for ambulances, fire trucks and police cars was a universal given. Seems to me that Korea needs both an attitude adjustment, as well as special emergency vehicle lanes. Or maybe battering rams on the front
Take care
-J-
Justin,
Thanks for the comment.
No doubt, about getting medieval on their arses with the battering rams.
Until the traffic cops get smarter and given more enforcement authority than their current robocop status, drivers will continue disobeying them and their laws.
Cheers,
Jun
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