WARNING & STROBES

Warning Lights & Strobes For Peterbilt Trucks

Warning lights and strobes alert other drivers to the presence of a stopped or slow-moving commercial truck, reducing collision risk during roadside breakdowns, construction operations, and other situations where a truck must operate outside normal traffic flow. From DOT-required emergency warning triangles to high-visibility LED strobes and light bars, we carry warning lighting for Peterbilt trucks in configurations for fleet, vocational, and emergency applications.

Frequently asked questions about warning lights & strobes

What warning lights are legally required on a commercial truck?

Beyond the standard lighting required by FMVSS 108, FMCSA regulations require commercial vehicles to carry three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles for use when stopped on a roadway (49 CFR 393.95). Amber strobe or beacon lights are required in many states for certain vocational operations -- utility vehicles, construction equipment, and wide load escorts. Check the specific requirements in the states where you operate, as requirements for auxiliary warning lights vary considerably by jurisdiction and application type.

When should warning lights be activated on a Peterbilt stopped on the roadway?

When a commercial vehicle is stopped on or adjacent to a roadway, hazard flashers should be activated immediately and emergency warning triangles deployed as soon as safely possible -- within 10 minutes of stopping. Triangles should be placed at the distances specified by FMCSA regulations (10, 100, and 200 feet to the rear on divided highways; 10, 100, and 100 feet front and rear on two-lane roads). If the vehicle is on a curve or hill that limits visibility, place the rearmost triangle far enough back to give approaching drivers adequate reaction time -- at least 500 feet in limited-visibility situations.

What is the difference between a strobe light and a beacon on a truck?

A strobe produces rapid, high-intensity flashes using a xenon flash tube or LED array -- the short, intense pulses are highly visible even in daylight. A rotating beacon uses a revolving reflector or LED array to produce a sweeping flash effect. Both serve the same warning function, but LED strobes have largely replaced older rotating beacons in most applications because they have no moving parts, turn on instantly without a warm-up period, and consume far less power. For most commercial truck warning light applications, an LED strobe or multi-flash LED beacon is the practical modern choice.

Other parts you might need

Shop safety & DOT supplies for Peterbilt trucks