In Ontario and some other areas, a flashing green light on a privately owned vehicle usually signals that the driver is a volunteer firefighter or medical responder heading to an emergency. Unlike police cars and ambulances, these personal vehicles do not automatically have the same legal privileges. The drivers still have to follow speed limits, stop signs, and red lights.
Other motorists are encouraged to slow down or move aside when it can be done safely, giving the volunteer a little extra room to continue toward the emergency.
The green light can be confusing because it looks like an official emergency signal, even though it doesn’t give the driver the authority to demand the right-of-way.
Knowing what the light means can help prevent unnecessary panic, aggressive driving, or confusion on the road.