You’re in hot pursuit of a criminal. But just when you hit the accelerator and gun down the highway, you realize your lights don’t work. That’s a recipe for disaster. Here are some of the reasons why those flashing police lights really matter:

It’s a warning

Imagine a police car barreling down the highway in great speed. Civilian drivers might get in the way if they don’t hear sirens or see those flashing lights. It’s an effective warning feature that lets everyone in the vicinity know that there’s a police chase happening and that they should do whatever they can to get out of the way.

It improves visibility

Not all police chases happen during the day. If you work the night shift, and give chase, you might end up in less than pleasant parts of town. You’re going to need great visibility on the road. That’s where lights come in. Buy top-quality lights to improve visibility levels during those nighttime drives so you won’t miss a thing.

It lets people know what’s happening

Everyone knows what flashing lights mean. Drivers on the road know they’ll need to pull over or risk further penalties. Whether they were going beyond the speed limit or driving with a busted headlight, the minute they see those lights, you won’t have to do a thing. You simply need to wait until they pull over so you could cite them a ticket for any of their driving or traffic violations.

Buying those lights

If you want to put in those flashing police lights in your car or rig, you’ll need to apply for a permit, says the Department of Motor Vehicles. Check with your state to make sure you know what the rules and regulations are, along with how much the fee goes for.