Thursday, April 18, 2013

Rad-O-Lite RELCO Emergency Lights

Old Time Erie - 1971 ad for RELCO.
Remember the white light at the top of the traffic lights in Erie, PA that would blink when triggered by an emergency vehicle? Police, fire and ambulances drivers could with on this system at major intersections. The only problem? It was very confusing to tourists passing through Erie who did not have this system in their town. Under ideal conditions, drivers would see the blinking white light, hear the sirens and pull over to the right side of the road, clearing a path for the police car or fire truck. This system was marketed by the Radio Emergency Light Co (RELCO) under the name Rad-O-Lite. The company was located at 3427 Sterrettania Road in Millcreek Twp.

 This system no longer exists, but I wish there was something like it, especially at East 12th and East Avenue and East 12th and the Bayfront Connector. Too many close calls there for me.

 Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com
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Location: 3427 Sterrettania Road, Erie, PA 16506, USA

4 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 26, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    It is still being used in some towns outside of Chicago.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 29, 2013 at 12:39 PM

    Do I remember correctly that, before this, the yellow light would stay on to signal an emergency? That, too, was confusing to out-of-towners.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 19, 2014 at 11:36 AM

    I have fixed a few of these for some of the fire companies in and around Erie.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 16, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    The light was on yesterday at 12th and Asbury! I couldn't believe my eyes.

    ReplyDelete

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